Archana Udupa was born to a family where music has been idolized. From the tender age of three years, she began her musical training in Carnatic music under Sri. Balakrishna and light music, under her father Sri.Srinivasa Udupa. But afterwards she has shifted her focus of attraction towards Hindustani style of singing. Under the expert guidance of Smt. Dr. Shakuntala Narasimhan, Archana Udupa has learnt the Hindustani style of singing.
Apart from being a dedicated student of music, Archana Udupa has also obtained a degree in journlism. But she has choosen music as her profession. She fully consecreated herself to the singing of light music and film music. To her credit she has also released many musical albums. She has given her voice in more than 1000 cassettes and Cds that were produced in various languages. In the recent past Archana Udupa has also sung in many Kannada films. All over the country and abroad Archana Udupa has also given live performances.
In the year 1997-1998 she has won first place in the National level competition conducted by the All India Radio under the category of light music. Acknowledging her talent All India Radio and Doordarshan absorbed her as a graded artist. In the year 1999, Archana Udupa has won the nationwide talent hunt programme TVS Sa re ga ma.( Zee TV) and became the first South Indian to win the nationwide talent hunt programme. Under the direction of well known music director and singer Sri. Shankar Mahadevan, she has recoded her voice for music album named Sapney- Zee Music.
Archana Udupa has also bagged the honor of singing the Millennium song for Close Up Anthakshari under the direction of legendry music director Sri. Anil Biswas. She has also lent her voice for a Panjabi film and Recorded playback music under the music direction of Sri. Jagjit Singh. At the Millennium Celebration of TVS Sa Re Ga Ma she performed with Jagjit Singh in front of the Taj Mahal. She has also bagged the honor of sharing the stage with celebrated legendary persona like Balamurali Krishna, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Kishan Maharaj, Girija Devi, Parvin Sultana, Ustad Zakir Husain, Pandit Ramnarayan, Ustad Vilayath Khan, O.P Nayyar, etc., and gained there appreciation.
Archana Udupa has also executed various programmes with the Legendry singer Sri. Manna Dey. She has also ornamented the stage with celebrated singers such as Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vani Jayaram, Usha Uthup etc. In the Spirit of Unity Concert for National integration held at Rajamundry, Andra Pradesh she was also a part. She has also sung in the music album where noted people like Mehadi Hasan, Gulam Ali, Madhu Rani, Roona Laila, Sonu Nigam, etc. has also lend their voice. In concerts and in T.V.shows she performs on a regular basis with the biggest name in South Indian film music Mr. S.P Balasubramanyam. She has also given her voice in play back singing for ¡§ Natyarani Shanthala¡¨ a musical mega serial directed by the Bheeshma of Indian films Late Sri. G.V. Iyer.( Both in Hindi and kannada). Under the direction of Sriyuths. Rajan Nagendra, the late Vijaya Bhaskar, the Late Upendra Kumar, Hamsalekha, C.Ashwath and Vaidyanathan, Vijay Anand, L.N. Shastry, V.Manohar etc. Archana Udupa has sung songs.
As recognition to her talent she has been conferred many awards like, Navras Award- pioneered jointly by Indian Music Research Academy and Navaras Records, London ¡V for the year 1999-2000; Arya Bhata award for the year 1999-2000; G.V.Atri Award for the year 2000-2001; Pride in my Profession Award for the year 2000-2001 instituted by Rotary Club; Sahyadri Award 2001 - 2002- instituted by Sahyadri Sangha.
