INTRODUCTION

Another long-delayed feature. Sai Harika’s profile is supported by peers Harika Peddibhotla and Swapnil Gorey. A great endorsement from two of our esteemed talents in our peer list brings here a fantastic talent to our page. More to say about Sai Harika is her amazing enthusiasm for good music and hard work in making songs for this feature although a very slow process, that finally came to a happy ending of publishing this feature here. We are more than happy to have her profile into a very esteemed line of profiles that we featured so far. Here is a very short description of her musical life as told to you all from Sai Harika herself.

Please introduce yourself briefly with special references to your music

“My full name is Sai Harika Punyamurthula. I am a Computer Science graduate and currently working as an IT professional in an ad-tech company in Boston, Massachusetts USA. I grew up in a small town called Bhilai in Chattisgarh, India which is where I did my important years of schooling from. My real native place is Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh although I never lived there. Music has been an eternal part of my life and I truly believe music is the key to anybody’s heart. I used to learn Hindustani music as a kid in Bhilai and after a long gap, I have started learning music again now over here in Boston. I am currently learning Hindustani vocals from the Creative Academy of Arts in Burlington, MA. The journey has only begun and I’m super excited to see where life takes me! I truly believe ‘once a musician, always a musician’ and no one can ever take that away from me. Music is rejuvenating to me. Smule has been my best friend since I have known about it, especially even more during quarantine. I feel it has reinforced my interest in music.” 

Your earliest memories of your interactions with music as a child, all the small things that made you start singing.

My mom wanted me and my sister to learn Indian classical music since I was 3 years old. She says she saw a singer in me when I was 2 years old and she was surprised how clearly I sang the lyrics ‘Ganga Jatadhara Gauri Shankara Girija Mana Ramana‘, which is a popular bhajan. My mom always used to search for a music teacher for us whenever we moved to a new place. I am thankful that she saw something in me and for channeling it in the right direction. I started learning Carnatic when I was probably around 4 years old in a town (Rayagada) in Odisha and I still remember that my Guruji used to ask me to play the harmonium during the classes along with him. I used to repeat after him. 

Later when we moved to Bhilai, that is when I found my first Hindustani music guru and I learned professionally under her for 4+ years. I also gave the ABGMV (Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya) exams for 3 years until (Praveshika Pratham, Praveshika Purna, and Madhyama Pratham). I have started to learn from scratch and it only got better from there.

Who influenced you the most as a child as far as your music interests and talents?

“My interest in music is not just my own sculpting but also many music enthusiasts around me. They always wanted my sister and me, to learn music and believed in our talents. My mother-in-law has been very encouraging and she appreciates music, believes that I could be a professional singer. I have recently started watching performances of Srimati Kaushiki Chakraborty and I’m totally in awe of her! I am personally a huge fan of A.R. Rahman sir and K.S. Chitra. I feel Chitra has a golden voice that never grows old and I love how humble she is. There is a lot of unexplored music for me like Rafi Sahab, Kishoreda’s hits. I would love to expand my knowledge of some of the golden oldies. Of late I have been obsessed with some old Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle melodies and am also working to increase my knowledge base of old songs.” 

Describe all your Classical music expertise and detailed descriptions of your Gurus etc. 

“Although, I have been singing movie songs ever since I was probably 3 years old. I must also compare to many in the music field, I don’t have much expertise in classical music. I have never taken music professionally. I started learning Hindustani classical vocals when I was around 10 years old and continued to learn for 4 years. I gave the ABGMV exams for 3 years until Madhayama Pratham. (Wish I had continued to get Visharad). Currently, I have started to learn from the beginning again as it has been years since I practiced Classical music. Thanks to Smule, I realized how much I missed classical music and joined classes again at this stage of my life.”

How does the transition from Classical music singing to pop music to playback happen? If so, what influences? 

“I haven’t experienced playback singing so far so cannot comment on what the transition feels like. But, I truly believe that classical music forms a solid foundation for any singer, and practicing classical music helps in pitching and riyaz surely is a form of a vocal gym that every singer should be doing.” 

Could you tell us in detail all your stages from School to college and how your music evolved?

“I was always a participant in school singing competitions, annual day performances, daily assembly choir groups for the daily prayers. I had won prizes for several performances in school. I sang the song “Prabhu Tere Naam” from the movie “Hum Dono” for my first ever school solo singing competition. I grew up in a township and I was a regular performer for all the township festival celebrations. I also sang inaugural prayer songs on several occasions in my Undergrad university. In 2017 I was a finalist in IACA – Atlanta Indian Idol, Atlanta, GA. Listen to my audition on the show below.”

It was the best stage experience I ever had. It wasn’t the perfect performance but each stage experience has taught me something new. The competition finale was in an auditorium at Georgia State University and it was super exciting to be on stage with several other amazing singers. I was recently a part of Smule One India 100 hours live jam event and hosted an hour of the show. This was a great opportunity to sing alongside such amazing talent on Smule.” 

A most memorable moment in your music life 

“The most memorable music memory is yet to be made! I still have to work towards fulfilling my wish of recording in a studio with professionals. But, the Atlanta Indian Idol gave me the best impression so far about what stage performance will feel like. Currently, I’m participating in a virtual singing competition (Telugu) organized by a group called “Talent Falcons”. Carnatic Vocalist & Music Teacher Sri D.V. Mohana Krishna Garu, music director R.P. Patnaik Garu, and singer Smt. Sumangali Garu is the honorable judge. I have reached the Quarterfinals and am hoping to give my best shot going further as well. First-round link here. The time in the video play to hear Harika is 4.00 minutes approximately. An awesome live performance.”

What exactly does your music mean to you? 

“Music is now not just a hobby but it’s something I cannot imagine my life without. It’s absolutely revitalizing and brightens my everyday life. Being able to sing on Smule has been a blessing during the pandemic. With years passing, I understood the importance of music and my interest has only kept growing.”

Your views about the general landscape of India’s classical music? 

“The two forms of classical music in India – Hindustani and Carnatic are both well known in India. In my opinion, most people are yet to discover the magic of Indian Classical music and I wish classical music receives more appreciation than it ever has in the past. People should not let it fade away! In addition to that, each of these classical music forms has always been more relatable and practiced by their respective regions: Hindustani popular in North India and Carnatic in South India. I wish they were not limited to their regions and people all across India are exposed to each of these forms. I am no different and haven’t fully experienced Carnatic music yet!”.

Your thoughts about popular music or film music or generally about Telugu regional music?

I have grown up singing bollywood music and Telugu movie songs. I love Indian music in general and I very rarely listen to Western music. I feel like Bollywood/Tollywood music speaks to me the most and they have songs for every occasion. I feel a classical music foundation helps a lot to be able to sing them with perfect pitching and be able to do all the ‘harkatein’/‘gamakas’. 

World music and other language music of India. 

India is known for its cultural diversity and the same way Indian music comprises several genres. Pop music, film music, classical music, regional music, folk music, etc. I think western music is slowly gaining popularity. Especially, youth in India are surely listening to global music/metal/jazz, etc. I personally haven’t explored these yet. 

Social responsibility for an Artist, what do you think about it? 

Not just as an Artist but as any other individual I do feel socially responsible in terms of all the actions I take be it posting or promoting appropriate content on social media etc. Music has the potential to reach millions of people and therefore every musician must be very mindful of their acts and try to produce art that has a positive impact on society. 

If you are a socially responsible artist will you take a stand if you can influence the decisions taken at political or other levels? 

I will certainly give such matters careful consideration especially if my decisions or actions can create a positive impact on society. 

Do you pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of songs? Do you think they are important for music? If yes then why? 

Yes, 100%. I definitely get influenced by the lyrics and meaning of songs. A song with touching lyrics speaks more to me. I like soft music and I believe that lyrics can make or break a song! For me personally, if lyrics are meaningless the song wouldn’t touch the heart. Lyrics can make a song evergreen! 

What career ambitions do you have in music. Then how are you planning to achieve it? 

I haven’t given serious thought ever to making music my career or to take it professionally. I am now focusing on learning and will be more than happy to take any good opportunity that comes my way. I want to record at least one song in a studio. For now, I need to focus on Hindustani music and get into the habit of doing riyaz regularly to become a better singer.

If a marriage comes will you give up on a very prospective career in music?

 I’m already married and have a super supporting husband. He loves classical music too and he appreciates music a lot. Not just him but my in-laws are extremely supportive as well I’m lucky to have them in my life! 

Where do you see yourself in five years from now in your music? 

I want to continue to learn and hopefully with no breaks. Thanks to Smule and these online platforms; singers like me have good opportunities to keep our hobby active and collaborate with some amazing talent. Let’s see if my dream of recording in a professional studio comes true haha. 

Now it is time to list all your favorite musicians 

Carnatic male-female – haven’t heard a lot but Dr. M.Balamuralikrishna Garu, M.S. Subbalakshmi Garu, Hindustani – Pandit Ajay Chakraborty and recently started listening to Kaushiki Chakraborthy, Shankar Mahadevan 

Playback -Telugu, Hindi any other – Telugu – S.P.B, Karthik, K.S.Chitra, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik to name a few.

Music directors – A.R.Rahman (a huge fan of him), Shankar Mahadevan. 4) genre of music – love classical but my go-to music is Bollywood music. Prefer melodies and soft music. 

Do you do any sports? If so which one? if not what other hobbies do you have? 

I’m not a sports person I must say. I do work out regularly and practice yoga and meditation. I like playing board games with friends! 

Let us without delay listen to some of the songs just made for this feature by Sai Harika

Song: Kehna Hi kya Album: Bombay Singer: K.S. Chitra Music Director: A.R. Rahman Lyricist: Mehboob Kotwal

Song Title: Seetharama Charitham (Telugu) Movie: Sri Rama Rajyam Singer: Anitha Karthikeyan, Keerthana Music Director: Illayraja Lyrics: Jonnavithula Ramalingeswara Rao A collaboration with P.V. Harika

Song : Latt Uljhe Album : Bandish Bandits Singer : Shreeya Sondur Musician :Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Song : Raat Hamari To Album : Parineeta (2005) Singer : K.S. Chitra Musician : Shantanu MoitraLyricist : Swanand Kirkire

Song : Sunn Bhavara Album : Ok JaanunSinger : Shashaa TirupathinMusician : A.R. RahmanLyricist : Gulzar

Song : Kita Kita Thalupulu (telugu)Album : Manasantha NuvveSinger : K.S. ChitraMusician : R.P. PatnaikLyricist : Siri Vennela Seetarma Sastry

Song : Chori Chori jab nazrein mili Album : Kareeb Singer : Kumar Sanu, Sanjeevani Musician: Anu Malik

A collaboration with Abhilash7 on Smule  

ENDNOTES

Can not say anything better than this for a singer whose songs talk more than what we can write about. Sai Harika’s Smule is an outstanding profile with music that conveys to her followers. We wish her all the best in her musical journey that began from a very young age itself. She continues to be singing on Smule and please follow her profile here.