G. Harishankar

G. Harishankar ( born June 10, 1958 in Chennai, † 11 February 2002 in Chennai) was an Indian Kanjira. The Kanjira is a tambourine used in the Carnatic music of South India. Harishankar is the only Kanjira who has received Sangeet Natak Akademi the price of the highest Indian art prize for stage performers.

Life and work

Harishankar received his first musical education from his father Govinda Rao. At seven, he had the first performances with the Kanjira. Later he studied with Palghat Mani Iyer and CS Murugabhupathi. He worked as a staff musician with the All India Radio in Chennai. With a number of South Indian musician, he took on records. As a companion and as a soloist he impressed by his controlled play at breakneck speed. He is now considered the largest Kanjira of Indian classical music. According to several sources, he suffered from albinism; Although he is seen in the pictures and videos with dark (probably dyed ) hair, but shows a striking fair skin and white eyebrows.