Shri G. Harishankar, (India, June 10, 1958 – February 11, 2002) was a renowned player of the kanjira, a tambourine used in the Carnatic music of South India. To date, he is the only Kanjira player to be awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest national recognition given to performing artists.

[edit] Profile

Harishankar received his initial training under his father Govinda Rao. He later learnt under Palghat Mani Iyer and C S Murugabhoopathi. He was a staff artist of the All India Radio, Chennai. Some of his best performances in albums were with the Sruthilaya group along with Karaikudi R Mani on the Mridangam, T V Vasan on the Ghatam, Srirangam Kannan on the Morsing. He performed in several albums including Laya Chithra, Sruthilaya, Grand Finale. Both while accompanying songs, and while playing solo, he played with great control and speed in an amazing fashion. He is considered by many to be the greatest Kanjira performer to date. Multiple sources say he had albinism, though many photos show him with dyed-dark hair.^[1][2][3] Video footage shows him with pale skin and white eyebrows.^[4]

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[edit] External links

• A tribute to G Harishankar
• Youtube video of a solo performance by G Harishankar

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