Vishaka Hari


Vishaka Hari is a Carnatic music vocalist and proponent of Harikatha, otherwise known as a storyteller of Kathakalakshepam. She is a chartered accountant by education. She has a son, Rajagopala Hari, who was born in 2007.

Early days

Vishaka Hari learned Carnatic music under the legendary Carnatic violinist, Padma Vibhushan Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman. Her spiritual guru and father-in-law is Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal. She learned the art of Harikatha from her husband, Sri Hariji, an experienced Harikatha exponent who delivers discourses in Tamil, English and Hindi.

Musical career

Vishaka Hari has performed in several sabhas during the Chennai Music Season since 2006.
Vishaka Hari occasionally performs with her husband, Sri Hari, who uses her English literary background to supplement her kathakalakshepam performances. Her brother, Saketharaman, also a disciple of Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman, is one of the leading carnatic musicians in India. An artist of All India Radio, she has given discourses and concerts abroad.
Vishaka Hari learned Bharatha Natyam from prominent dancer, Professor Sudharani Raghupati.
Smt. Vishaka performs Harikatha on various topics Based on Srimad Ramayanam, Srimad Bhagavatham and Skanda puranam. She also performs from Srisrianna's works such as: Sri Vaishnava Samhitha; Sri Brindavana Mahatmyam; Divya Desa Vaibhavam; Harikatha Amritha Lahari; Sri Bhakthapurisha Stavam; Sati vijayam, Shatakams and Keerthanas.

Awards and recognition

She has received many prizes and awards for her contributions to the Harikatha and Carnatic music fields.*
Pratidhwani or 'echo of Thyagaraja Swami' title from her spiritual guru and father-in-law Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal.
September 2016.She is one amongst seven of India's most-respected women artistes.
chairman, R. Seshasayee.