Born in a musically dedicated family, Shubha Mudgal has been trained by some of the finest musicians and musicologists in India. Trained by Pandit Ram Ashreya Jha in Allahabad, from whom she still receives instruction, Shubha later moved to Delhi where she received the guidance of Pandit Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya and Pandit Vasant Thakar. She went on to learn stylistic techniques from well-known maestros Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit Kumar Gandharva. She also received training in thumri from Smt. Naina Devi and is thus one of the most versatile and popular performers of the new generation of Hindustani musicians.

Though her basic training was in the tradition of the Gwalior gharana, her search has led her to assimilate other influences and hence she does not lay claim to the lineage of any particular gharana. It is her association with Pandit Kumar Gandharva which significantly changed her entire perception of music, and the shadow of his musical identity is ever present in her work.

In addition to being a performer, Shubha has also won recognition as a composer. Her repertoire of medieval mystic and Sufi poetry includes rarely heard texts from the Vaishnava Pushti-marg poets, as well as the Nirguna poetry of Kabir, Namdev, Amir Khusrau, Nath-panthi poets and other Sufiana poetry.

She has comopsed music for dancers (Aditi Mangaldas, Prerna Shrimali, Sonal Mansingh), ballets (Meera, Parikrama, Krishna Katha), documentary films (Best Music Direction Award in 1996 at the National Film Festival for Meera Dewan's Amriy Beej), signature tunes for television serials and films.

She has also composed for special occasions such as the British Museum's inauguration of the Padshahnama exhibition. Recently she worked with film directors such as Mira Nair ( Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love) and Rajan Khosa (Dance of the Wind).

Shubha enjoys working with creators in all mediums. Her album Ab Ke Saawan made waves when it hit the market and songs like Mann ke Manjeere, Seekho Na, Ab Ke Saawan, Dere Dere immediately connected with the youth.