Sharon Prabhakar is an Indian singer, theatre actress, public speaker, and international corporate trainer. She is known as the Indian pop diva of the 80s for her work in the pop and disco music genre. Sharon is also a life coach.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Sharon Prabhakar was born on Thursday, 4 August 1955 (age 68 years; as of 2023) in Delhi, India. Her zodiac sign is Leo. She grew up in a cross-culture due to her parents’ different religious backgrounds. Her father was a Punjabi, and her mother was a Christian. She had an inborn interest in music due to her mother, who loved to play the piano and was a music trainer at a school. At an early age, Sharon enjoyed singing, and her mother would often tell her that she was born with a swing in her voice.
Sharon Prabhakar (right) in her childhood with her siblings
She completed her schooling at All Saints Boarding School, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India and joined Lady Sri Ram College for Women, Delhi, dropping it out midway to run to Bombay to explore herself. When she was 17, she joined an ad agency ‘Sistas.’ Later, Sharon joined Air India during which she realized that she was born to be a singer. Her first job as a singer was in a nightclub at Oberoi, Mumbai for Rs 350 a night. From 2004 to 2005, she pursued her Master’s in Communication/Business Corporate Communications at Dale Carnegie Institute, New York.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Sharon belongs to a Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
Sharon’s mother was a music teacher at All Saints boarding school in Nainital, while her father worked as a government employee in Delhi. Her parents had a troubled marriage.
Sharon Prabhakar’s family picture. Back from left – Her mother, Sharon, and her father. In the front are her siblings
Her sister’s name is Pia, and her brother’s name is Vivek.
Sharon Prabhakar(left) with her brother, Vivek, and sister, Pia
Husband & Children
Sharon Prabhakar had 2 marriages. She got married to Bryan Mascarenhas in 1978, with whom she divorced in 1982. Bryan was into a book distribution business. Sharon got married to Alyque Padamsee in 1986, who died in 2018.
Sharon Prabhakar’s Instagram post about her late husband Alyque Padamsee
Alyque was a popular ad filmmaker and theatre personality, who is known as the father of modern Indian advertising. She has a daughter from her second marriage. Her name is Shazahn Padamsee, who is an Indian actress and a DJ.
Sharon Prabhakar’s daughter, Shazahn Padamsee
Career
Actress: Theatre, serial, and cinema
Sharon Prabhakar began her acting career as a theatre artist with the play ‘Evita’ in 1982 in which her voice as a singer also got noticed for the song ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.’ She got wide popularity with this play to the extent that the production ran houseful for the next 6 years. It was also praised in the international theatre fraternity.
Sharon Prabhakar singing her iconic song ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ from the play EVITA
Her other applaudable performances were ‘Cabaret,’ ‘Butterflies Are Free,’ The Odd Couple, etc. She made her Bollywood debut with the 2008 film ‘Saas, Bahu aur Sensex’ in which she played the role of a Punjabi character. Sharon performed the lead role in the serials ‘Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar’ and ‘Mahi’s Way.’ She also did a web series ‘Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain’ (2018-2020) and is an actor in the 2019 film ‘Bombairiya.’
Sharon Prabhakar’s Instagram post about shooting with Ronit Roy in the ‘Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain’ web series
Sharon has also produced, written, and acted in plays like ‘That’s Life’ (a mono-act autobiographical musical) and ‘Life, Love and Other Madness.’
Sharon Prabhakar performing as a theatre artist
Singer
Sharon Prabhakar was introduced into the Indian music industry by Bappi Lahiri in 1984, who noticed her performance at the Oberoi nightclub. She is referred to as the original Indie-pop star of Hindi music for her similar style to Joan Baez. Sharon has performed on 3 international tours – the Royal Albert Hall, the Maddison Square Garden, and the Kenyatta Conference Centre. Sharon has released around 7 Indie-pop and 11 Hindi pop albums.
A cover picture of Sharon Prabhakar’s 90’s album ‘Burning’
Her popular Bollywood film songs as a playback singer include – ‘One Two Cha Cha’ from the movie Rock Dancer (1995), ‘Meri Jaisi Haseena’ from the film Armaan (1981), Do Re Me Come With Me’ from the movie Tarzan (1985), ‘Dil Ki Dhadkan Kya Kahe’ from Veerana (1988), ‘Jhoomo Jhoomo’ from Judge Mujrim (1997), etc. Sharon has represented India at many international festivals and continues to perform at various shows across the country.
Public speaker, International trainer and Life Coach
Sharon Prabhakar is an excellent public figure and speaker. She conducts various communication and drama workshops. She has been working as an active motivational and life coach, who conducts training sessions for renowned corporate companies like Mercedes-Benz, Tata, McKinsey, etc. and visits schools and colleges to inspire and empower the youth.
Sharon Prabhakar, as a motivational coach on the Tedx talk show
She has established and is a CEO and managing partner of an event company ‘SPIPS Global Solutions,’ which produces events and prepares training modules for communication skills at corporate companies. It produced stage musicals titled ‘Legend Of Lovers’ and ‘Magic of Motown.’
Sharon Prabhakar’s Instagram post about conducting a session as a corporate trainer
Awards and Achievements
- Her album ‘Dilruba’ won the New York Silver Award for creative brilliance.
- Got nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1982, for the song ‘Meri Jaisi Haseena.’
- Awarded Swarna Stree Award in 2023 as a motivational coach.
Sharon Prabhakar receiving the Swarna Stree Award 2023 for her work as a motivational coach
Facts/Trivia
- Sharon’s vocal chords got damaged when she was 16. Her parents didn’t have the money for surgery, but she dealt with it by constantly exercising and pushing her chords, and one day got back her voice.
- When Sharon was not happy in her college, she decided to run to Bombay to pursue her dreams. She stole money from her father’s pocket to get on a train to Bombay and stayed there at her school teacher’s home until she found herself a well-to-settle job.
- Sharon Prabhakar often consumes alcohol.
Sharon Prabhakar raising a champagne toast at her friend’s birthday party
- When 17-year-old Sharon went for an interview at the Sista ad agency, its MD Bobby Sista asked her,
This is an ad agency. Do you know what the word agency means?” To this, Sharon replied him,
Uncle, I don’t but I am willing to learn.” Seeing her confidence, Bobby Sista hired Sharon for Rs. 350 a month.
- Sharon enjoys reading.
Sharon Prabhakar’s Instagram post about a book
- She has represented India and has sung for the members of the White House.
- All her music rights are reserved with either EMI or Universal.
- Sharon Prabhakar is a coffee lover and often posts about it on her social media handles.
Sharon Prabhakar’s Instagram post about coffee
- In the 90s, Sharon released a song as a tribute to popular Bollywood actors of those times, she finished this song by complementing Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and this song used to come on the DD Metro channel regularly.
- Sharon performed an opening act for Michael Jackson during his visit to India.
- Sharon is also a social worker. She has often donated her concert’s funds to the needy.
Sharon Prabhakar performing in a Fundraising event
- Sharon produced and performed in the opening ceremony of the Asian Track and Sports Meet for the Government of India. For this, she used 1000 schoolchildren, 2000 dancers, and aerodynamic elements.
- Sharon Prabhakar participates as a panellist and jury member at various award functions, especially the WEE award function.
- Sharon is among the founders of the Mumbai India International Film Festival (MIIFF).
Sharon Prabhakar at the opening ceremony of the Mumbai India International Film Festival
