Born on 8th June 1946 in Nashik and brought up at Kolhapur in a family having rich legacy of Theatre, Shashikala got the artistic heritage from her grandfather Shamrao Shirgopikar.

Shamrao Shirgopikar had established the first children’s theatre group, Anand Sangeet Mandali in a village, Kavhte Guland in 1923.  This small group later converted into established theatre company.

Educated initially at Harihar Vidyalay, Kolhapur and then at Ahilyadevi High School, Pune, she obtained Master’s degree in zoology at University of Pune. She joined Abasaheb Garware College, Pune as a demonstrator and then went on to become the Head of Department (Zoology).  

She has co-authored 15 text books in Zoology, in addition, she has co-authored few books on zoology in Marathi with Prof. Ashok Marathe: ‘Mashi ga Mashi, Jeevsrushtitil Vaividhya, Pakshanche Sthalantar ani Na Udanare Pakshi.

While pursuing her MSc, Shashitai also attended Gandharv Mahavidyalay, Pune and passed Sangeet Visharad. 

She started taking personal training under her Guru Shri Vidyadhar Pandit who helped her in building a strong foundation with rigorous training i.e riyaz. She also received training from Pt. T.D. Janorikar under whose guidance she passed the Sangeet Alanakar.

Tai received training in Natysangeet from well-known stage actress and vocalist Smt. Jaymala Shiledar and also took guidance in Dadra, Thumri from renowned actor – singer of Marathi Musical Theatre Shri Chota Gandharva.

She learned classical singing from leading Indian classical singer Vidushi Kishori Amonkar for about 8 yrs.

Malavikagneemitra was the first play staged by Telco – Kalasagar for Maharashtra State Music Drama Competition. She designed the music and got the first prize in 1981 and for next  two consecutive years.

The turning point in her life came in 1961 when she came across a pocket book on Ghalib’s Ghazals that created tremendous curiosity about Urdu literature and especially Ghazal.  She made up her mind to learn Urdu so she could understand the depth of Ghalib’s Ghazals.  

There were few people who were teaching Ghazals in Pune and finally she found Asif Khan (Khansahab) as Guru. Who groomed her in the Ghazal singing.

By then she was an established performing artist in classical singing. And then she moved to Ghazals and became a Ghazal singer who was supposed to be the one who laid foundation of Urdu Ghazal in Pune especially for Non Urdu people.

She completed her Ph.D. (Music – Ghazals ) and is now promoting Ghazals through various events.

Her Ghazal Programme ‘Yeh Ishq Nahi Aasan’ especially for Non Urdu people is very popular because of the unique style of presentation where she explains the meaning of the Ghazal so viewers can appreciate the beauty and depth.  

She is associated with Pune based performing artist group Saaz and has launched one more show ‘Ghalib se Faiz tak’ which has also gained a lot of popularity.