Radhika and her mother Mani-Karuna Devi Dasi perform alongside the Vraja Beats Rock Band.

Radhika Keshari, born into a Krishna-conscious family,  spontaneously absorbed devotional practices from a young age. The now 17-year-old remarked, “I’ve been surrounded by devotees all my life because my parents embraced Krishna consciousness before I was born.” Her early exposure to kirtan and bhajans laid a strong foundation for her creative service.

During an interview with ISKCON News, Radhika recalled her early days of learning and growing up in the movement. Raised in an environment where devotional music was part of daily life, her mother, Mani-Karuna Devi Dasi—a classical Indian music singer and teacher — shared, “I believe my daughter was meant to join our family; she is a soul who was destined to serve in Krishna consciousness.” Even when she was small, Radhika’s inclination toward music was evident, and her family’s guidance played a significant role in nurturing this talent.

Exploring her inspirations, Radhika mentioned, “I was inspired when I discovered singers like Jahnavi Harrison, Radhika Das, and the Madhavas performing, and I wanted to express myself in the same way.” She also added that as a musician, she listens to various kinds of music, remarking, “I also listen to Japanese and Hollywood songs, but I spend most of my time with devotional music.” Radhika emphasized that these diverse influences help validate what she feels she must express in her music.

Blending traditional devotional elements with aspects of contemporary sound, however, was not without difficulty. Radhika explained that to make what she calls fusion music, she pays close attention to the lyrics and the overall presentation of each song. For example, regarding her song “Wake Up Sleeping Souls,” she stated, “I based it on the Vaishnava song ‘Jiva Jago,’ where Bhaktivinoda Thakura – inspired by Gauranga Mahaprabhu- calls for the materially induced sleeping souls to wake up. I fused this traditional song with English lyrics so that the message is easier to understand.” This fusion of traditional content with modern language was carefully considered to ensure that the sacred message remains clear.

Together with her family, Radhika is part of the Vraja Beats Rock Band, a devotional music group initiated as a preaching initiative, which aims to engage audiences through Krishna-conscious messages presented in a contemporary musical style.

When asked about how she balances the demands of an active music career with her devotional practices, Radhika reflected on the challenges of staying true to her beliefs despite external pressures. She commented, “The teachings of the Bhagavad-gita and my sadhana help me remain unaffected by both criticism and praise.” Her commitment to maintaining her sadhana while engaging with broader musical trends underscores her focus on service.

Radhika has received inspiring responses from her listeners. As she put it, “Every time I release music online, many people tell me they feel inspired and ask, ‘Mataji, how should I pursue music?’” This reinforced her conviction that she was an instrument for spreading the teachings of Krishna consciousness. She humbly added, “The inspiration isn’t just because of me—it comes from the support of senior devotees and the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, which truly touch people’s hearts. Being an instrument to inspire others is the best feeling ever.”

Her musical journey is also a reflection of the strong parental guidance she received. Mani-Karuna explained, “Association matters a lot. The Gita Academy – an ISKCON Gurugram initiative for the youth, and the NUTSS Group – an initiative by Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnav Swami helped her reconnect with Krishna consciousness and provided her with immense support.” She emphasized that it was this network of spiritually inclined groups that helped Radhika transition from trying to mimic the trends of non-devotee peers to rediscovering and embracing the value of Krishna consciousness in her life and music. “I used to try to act like my peers, but eventually I learned to be proud of what my parents and the Krishna consciousness movement have given me,” Radhika recalled.

Looking toward the future, Radhika expressed interest in continuing to explore devotional themes in her work. “I’d love to work on projects focused on spreading Srila Prabhupada’s teachings to help people connect with their true selves,” she said. There is an openness in her voice when she speaks of future collaborations with other devotee artists, as she remarked about the potential for combining talents from poets, musicians, and visual artists.

Radhika Keshari’s story reminds us that maintaining one’s devotional values while engaging with contemporary artistic expression is possible. Her journey, supported by her family and the Hare Krishna community, serves as a sincere effort to inspire and guide other young devotees in using their talents in the service of Krishna and Srila Prabhupada’s mission.

For those interested in following her journey, readers can visit the band’s website, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel. For older content, please search for Mani-Karuna Devi Dasi or Radhika Keshari on HareKrsnaTV.