Hari Atchuta Rama Sastry

Sri Atchutarama Sastry (AS) hails from a very famous family of musicians “HARI”, from Andhra Pradesh. His father Late Sri Hari Nagabhushanam was a renowned, SANGEETHA VIDWAN, who was the recipient of the prestigious title of all times “VÃGGEYAKÃRA RATHNA” in 1932 on behalf of the then MADRAS PRESIDENCY, which is at present the four southern states of India. Late Sri Nagabhushanam is the great-great grand disciple of SAINT SRI THYAGARAJA.

AS, inherited the musical talents of the family and learnt Karnatic music – Vocal, Violin – from is father. Ever since he gave his first well-acclaimed stage performance at the tender age of 7, he upheld the traditions of Karnatic Music in its purity. He gave musical concerts together with his older brother Late Sri Hanumath Sastry. Later he joined the film orchestra in Madras in 1952 as a violinist under the leadership of famous Music directors – Chittor Nagayya (of movie “THYAGARAJA” fame), Addepalli Rama Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Saluru Rajeswararao, Ghantasala, K.V.Mahadevan, T.V.Chalapathi Rao, Adinarayana Rao, T.V.Raju to mention a few.

Thus, he is a vidwan in both styles of music – classical as well as light music. He can sing and play violin simultaneously –VOCO-SOLO-VIOLIN – a unique phenomenon that he inherited from his father. It is rare to find this talent in classical musicians in these times.

He is a Sanskrit scholar and learnt many VEDIC HYMNS. This knowledge stood in good stead for him in producing many cassettes – SUPRABHATAMS and POOJA VIDHANAMS of most of the Hindu GODS. The voice culture, clarity in rendition together with clear diction in his albums is acknowledged by one and all. Religious minded people in India and visitors from here alike tend to collect these audio aids for use in their lives.

In the past, AS accompanied, on violin, for great vocalists like Dr.Balamuralikrishna, Late Maharajapuram Santhanam and many others on special occasions and was held in high esteem by them. Film legendary Smt. P.Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and famous playback singer Smt. S.Janaki were among those seeking his consultations. Smt.Bhanumathi’s music direction involving Karnatic Music in her films as well as the first Karnatic Music cassette of Smt. Janaki were with his initial guidance.

His cassettes, ADITYA HRIDAYAM, SHYAMALA DANDAKAM, SRINIVASA GADYAM, GADYA THRAYAM, MAHISHASURA MARDINI STHOTHRAM, ANJANEYA DANDAKAM – all composed and sung by him bear testimony to his creativity. He studied our Vedic scriptures, UPANISHADS and Bhagavadgeeta, first under his father’s guidance and later by attending the classes of Sri Paramardhananda Swamiji (direct disciple of Swamy Chinmayananda) in Madras since 1984. His rendition of the Bhagavad Gita in the traditional style is well received.

Karnatic Music lovers and religious minded people could use his talents in one or many other ways.

1, Giving a Karnatic Music VOCO-SOLO-VIOLIN Concert,
2, Giving musical discourses on Sri Thyagaraja Swamy and his devotion to Lord  Rama,
3, Offering Music classes – vocal and violin,
4, Providing guidance in performing devotional Poojas to our Hindu Gods through his cassettes such as:
5, Sathyanarayana Vratam/Pooja,
6, Vinayaka Vratam or Ganesh Pooja,
7, Varalakshmi Pooja,
8, Learn & Recite Sandhya Vandanam etc.