Vishaka Hari

Vishakha Hari is a renowned Carnatic vocalist and celebrated Harikatha exponent from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, recognised as one of the greatest living exponents of Kathakalakshepam — the devotional storytelling form. She received formal Carnatic music training from Lalgudi Jayaraman from age six and Bharatanatyam training from Sudharani Raghupathy. She married into a Harikatha family and, encouraged by her father-in-law at age 22, began the art without formal training and has mastered it completely. A chartered accountant and author, she is the founder of the Vijayashri School of Harikatha, a free e-pathashaala teaching the art of Harikatha to children worldwide since 2006.