| SONG | MOVIE |
| Thamizha thamizha | Roja |
| Kucchi kucchi raakkammaa | Bombay |
| Uyireh uyireh | Bombay |
| Hai rama ohr vaaramaa | Rangeela |
| Nilaa kaaygiradhu | Indra |
| Konja naal poru thalaivaa | Aasai |
| Manameh thotta chinnungi | Thotta Chinnungi |
| Oru thedhi paarthaal | Coimbatore Maapillai |
| Kannil kannil | Mustafa |
| Vidukathaiyaa | Muthu |
| En manadhai kollai aditthavalleh | Kaloori Vaasal |
| Ucchi mudhal paadham varai | Sengottai |
| Telephone mani pol | Indian |
| Udaiyaadha vennilaa | Priyam |
| Class Roomila | Idhayame Idhayame |
| Kaloori saalai | Kadhal Desam |
| Malargalleh malargalle | Love Birds |
| Uthatorra Sivappe | Paanchalang Kurichi |
| Romeo aattam pottaal | Mr Romeo |
| Kaadhali kaadhali (duet & solo) | Avvai Shanmugi |
| Taj mahaleh | Periya Thambi |
| Vennilaveh vennilaveh | Minsaara Kanavu |
| Kannai katti kollaadheh | Iruvar |
| Poothirukkum vanameh | Pudhayal |
| Kaadhal kaadhal | Aravindan |
| Oru mani aditthaal | Kaalamelaam Kadhal Vaazhga |
| Paapa paapa | Mannava |
| Indhumahaa samuthirameh | Mannava |
| Nagumo hei.. sugamo | Arunachalam |
| Yaaroh azhaitthadhu pola | Sishya |
| Thikuthikuraa | Sishya |
| Konjum manjal pookal | Ullaasam |
| Minnal oru kohdi | VIP |
| Kaadhalaa kaadhalaa | Suriya Vamsam |
| Rosaapoo chinna rasaapoo | Suriya Vamsam |
| Aval varuvaalaa | Nerukku Ner |
| Engenge engenge | Nerukku Ner |
| Neeyillai ninaivillai | Poochoodavaa |
| Vaaliba vayadhukku | Poochoodavaa |
| Kannukkul un uruvameh | Unaiyeh Kalyaanam Pannikirein |
| Innum eanoh | Unaiyeh Kalyaanam Pannikirein |
| Mudhan mudhaleil paarthein (duet & solo) | Aha |
| Hip hip Hurray | Aha |
| Poo malai | Raasi |
| Chandiranai thottadhu yaar | Ratchakan |
| Alps malai | Thedinein Vandhadhu |
| Ennai thaalatta varuvaallaa | Kaadalukku Mariyadhai |
| Cha cha cha kaadhalicha | Janagi Raman |
| Kaadhal solla vaarthai vendumaa | Janagi Raman |
| Thulli thulli pani thulli | Periya Manushan |
| Kaadhaleh nimmadhi | Kaadhaleh Nimmadhi |
| Kumudam pohl | Moovendar |
| Naan vaanavilaiyeh paarthein | Moovendar |
| Madonna saayalaa nee | Kaadhala Kaadhala |
| Laila laila | Kaadhala Kaadhala |
| Indha sirapinai | Naam Iruvar Namakkiruvar |
| Kattaana ponnu | Naam Iruvar Namakkiruvar |
| Nandri solla enakku | Marumalarchi |
| Anbeh anbeh | Uyirohdu uyiraaga |
| Ohvehdu nilaveh | Vehllai |
| Anbeh anbeh | Jeans |
| Un peyar sollaveh en uyirulladheh | Vehttiyai madicchikattu |
| Kaanji pattu sehlai | Rettai jadai vayasu |
| Vaanum mannum | Kaadhal mannan |
| Nandhavanameh | Jolly |
| Vandhadhu pennaa | Avall varuvaallaa |
| Vanna nilaveh | Ninaithein vandhaai |
| Vaanam tharaiyil | Unnudan |
| Kohbamaa | Unnudan |
| Manadhohdu pirandhavallaa | Iniyavalleh |
| Uyireh uyireh | Iniyavalleh |
| Aakaasavaanee | Priyamudan |
| Meetaadha veenai | Poonthottam |
| Vaanatthu thaaragaiyeh | Poonthottam |
| Nyabagam irrukiradha | Sandhipommaa |
| Nee pehsum poovaa | Golmal |
| Kanneh | Periya idatthu maapillai |
| Nee kaattru naan maram (duet and solo) | Nilaaveh vaa |
| Chinna chinna killiyeh | Kannedhireh thondrinaall |
| Sollaadheh solla (duet and solo) | Sollaamaleh |
| Thayya thayya | Uyireh |
| Oh Sona, I love you | Vaali |
| Eadho oru paattu | Unnidatthil ennai kodutthein |
| Thottapetta kulliru | Unnidatthil ennai kodutthein |
| Nandhavana kuyileh | Ponnu veettu kaaran |
| Onnu rendu thonnuthettu | Puthumaipithan |
| Tholaivinileh | Kodeeswaran |
| Paadavaa | Chinna raja |
| Vennilaveh | Maravadheh kanmaniyeh |
| Aiyoh honey baby | Maravadheh kanmaniyeh |
| Vaanirukku | Maravadheh kanmaniyeh |
| En kanavinai kell nanba | Desiya geedham |
| Illa venir kaala panjameh | Manam virumbudheh unnai |
| Koottu kuyilai kaattil vittu | Manam virumbudheh unnai |
| Eadho eadho nenjil | Manam virumbudheh unnai |
| Idharkku pehr thaan kaadhalaa | Poo velli |
| En nenjil thoongavaa nilaaveh | Thaalaatta varuvaallaa |
| Malaiyum nadhiyum | Nam oor teacherammaa |
| Diana | Kaadhal kavidhai |
| Manasa thotta kaadhal | Kaadhal kavidhai |
| Kaadhal meedhil oru | Kaadhal kavidhai |
| Shock adikkum pooveh | Thodarum |
| Iruvadhu kodi | Thulladha manam thullum |
| Thoda thoda enaveh | Thulaadha manam thullum |
| Oh vennilaa | Ninavirukkum varai |
| Ulagelaam oru sol .. endrendrum kadhal | Endrendrum kaadhal |
| Pohraalleh pohraalleh | Unai thehdi |
| Maalavikaa | Unai thehdi |
| Dhakshaayanee | Unai thehdi |
| Neethaanaa neethaanaa | Unai thehdi |
| Iravaa pagalaa | Poovelaam kettu paar |
| Churidhar anninthu | Poovelaam kettu paar |
| Konji pehsa konja nehram | Mannavaru chinnavaru |
| Nilavonnu patthikicchu | Edhirum pudhirum |
| Orunaall unnai | Aanandha mazhai |
| En manaseh | Aanandha mazhai |
| Uyireh vaa | Monisha en Mona Lisa |
| Vaigai nathikkarai | Nilaveh mugam kaattu |
| Thendralai kandu kolla | Nilaveh mugam kaattu |
| Chinna vennilaveh | Poomagall oorvalam |
| Malareh oru vaarthai pehsu | Poomagall oorvalam |
| Nilaveh nilaveh sa ri ga ma pa tha ni paadu | Periyanna |
| Paattukku paalaivanam poo pookkum | Aanandha poongaattru |
| Chemmeenaa vinmeenaa | Aanandha poongaattru |
| Solaikuyil paada | Aanandha poongaattru |
| Chinna roja | Oruvan |
| Mazhai thulli mazhai thulli ... aallaala kandu | Sangamam |
| Manaseh manaseh kadhavai thira | Nenjinileh |
| Anbeh en anbeh ... Nisha ... | Nenjinileh |
| Ootha ootha ootha poo | Minsaara Kannaa |
| Un peyar solla asaithaan | Minsaara Kannaa |
| Chekka chivandhavalleh | Swayamvaram |
| Unai paartha kangall | Roja vanam |
| Poosu manjall | Kanaveh kalaiyadheh |
| Eranji maasam | Azhagar sami |
| Pachai marikozhundhu | Azhagar sami |
| Taj mahal ondru | Kannohdu kaanbadhelaam |
| Iruvadhu vayadhinileh | Kannohdu kaanbadhelaam |
| Oru devadhai vandhuvitaal | Nee varuvaai enna |
| Neeyirundhaal naaniruppein | Aasaiyil ohr kaditham |
| En kannaadi thoppukulleh | Malabar Police |
| Kalai maaneh | Taallam |
| Oru murai sonaal podhumeh | Anbeh Diana |
| Vennila velliyeh varuvaayaa | Unakaaga elaam unakaaga |
| Thavikkirein thudikkirein | Time |
| Kurukku sirithavalleh | Mudhalvan |
| Kaadhal vennilaa | Vaanatthai Pohla |
| Indha nimisham | Hello |
| Mookutthi mutthazhagu | Kannupada Pogudhaiyaa |
| Meera meera kannan naan | Nehsam Pudhusu |
| Thaazhndha thamizhagameh | Puratchikaaran |
| Nilavu Paattu | Kannukkull Nilavu |
| Keechu killiyeh | Mugavari |
| Oh nenjeh | Mugavari |
| Vanna paravaigall kettupaar | Masilaa unmai kaadhaleh |
| Nee paartha kangall | Hey Raam |
| Ramaraanaalum | Hey Raam |
| Kaadhal azhagaa | Paattaalli |
| Pacchai nirameh | Alai paayudheh |
| Ennanamoh maattram | Sudhandhiram |
| Vaarthai illaamal | Sudhandhiram |
| Mazhai mazhai | Sudhandhiram |
| Suttum vizhi chudar | Kandukkondein kandukkondein |
| Kandukkondein kandukkondein | Kandukkondein kandukkondein |
| Puraveh en | Eazhaiyin sirippinil |
| Arupukottai akka ponnu | Vallarasu |
| Urangum nehratthil | Kanna unnai Thehdugirein |
| Vanchikodi | Kanna unnai Thehdugirein |
| Oru ponnu onnu | Kushi |
| Mottu onru | Kushi |
| Kaadhukku pookkall soodam | Kannan varuvaan |
| Vennilaveh | Kannan varuvaan |
| Koila koila | Appu |
| Yeanoh yeanoh | Appu |
| Idhayatthai kaanavillai | Unnai kodu ennai tharuvein |
| Nilaveh nilaveh | Thai porandhachu |
| Enna solli paaduvein | Vannathamizh paattu |
| Vellicham adikkuthadi | Vannathamizh paattu |
| Manja manja kizhangu | Simhasanam |
| Sollamal thottu | Dheena |
| Vaa vaa poove vaa | Rishi |
| O mane mane | Rishi |
| Thendral varum | Friends |
| Kuyilukku | Friends |
| Poongattre | Friends |
| Pengalodu potti | Friends |
| Adada adada | Ullam kollai poguthey |
| Oru palaivanathai | Ullam kollai poguthey |
| Kavidhaigal sollava | Ullam kollai poguthey |
| Kadhavai naan | Ullam kollai poguthey |
| Uyire en uyire | Ullam kollai poguthey |
| Privondrai santhithen | Piriyada varam vendum |
| Enna ithuvo | Aanandham |
| Thuli thuliyai | Paarvai ondre podhume |
| Ennavo ennavo | Priyamaanavale |
| Enakkoru snekithy | Rhythm |
| Ragasiyamai | Dum dum dum |
| Sembaruthi poove | Kadhal solla vanthein |
| Vinothamanavalae | Lovely |
| Vennilavae | Lovely |
| Oru poyavathu | Jodi |
| Thom thom | Alli thantha vaanam |
| Kandu pidi kandu pidi | Samudhram |
| Gulmuhar malare | Majunu |
| Vennilavae | Ladies & gentlemen |
| Kann azhagheh | Kannal pesava |
| Mela chatham | Thaali kaatha kaaliamman |
| Kadal vennila | Kannukkul Nilavu |
| Nilavu patu | Penn ondru kandein |
| Rasathi | Karasikatu poove |
| Karasikatu puve | Karasikatu poove |
| Yaar indha devadai | Unnai ninaithu |
| Ennai paada vaitha | Punnagai desam |
| Kombu mulaitha muyale | Virumbukiren |
| Kadhale kadhale swasam | Kadhale swasam |
| Mana valikude | Kadhale swasam |
| Chik chik chik chinnakiliye | Azhagaana nattkal |
| Mottukkale | Rojakkoottam |
| Oru pournami nilavu | Raja |
| Sundari | Kannathil muthamittal |
| Moongil kaadugale | Samurai |
| Velinaattu kaatru | Vaanavil |
| Sagalakala | Pammal k sambantham |
| Kaadhalittal anandham | Style |
| En mana vaanil | Kaasi |
| Punniam thedi | Kaasi |
| Rokkam irukkira | Kaasi |
| Manutholu | Kaasi |
| Aathorathilae | Kaasi |
| Naan kaanum | Kaasi |
| Thalattum kaatrae | Devan |
| O priya | I love you da |
| Sadugudugudu | Manathai thirudivittai |
| O nila | Pesadha kannum pesumae |
| Poi solla koodadhu kaadhali | Run |
| Mottugalle mottugale | Rojakoottam |
| Chellamaai chellam | Album |
| Yaar indha devadhai | Unnai Ninaitthu |
| Moodu manthiram | Bantha |
| Kappaleh kappaleh | Chocolate |
| Thamizheh thein thamizheh | Nilavinileh |
| Malai kaatru vandu thamizh | Vedham |
| Ayayoh ayayoh pudichirukku | Saamy |
| Maan kuttiyeh | Priyamana thozhi |
| Udhaya udhaya | Udhaya |
| Pookum malargall | Udhaya |
| Kaneer Mazhai | Power |
| Malareh malareh | Power |
| All round the world | Power |
| Maragadha mazhai thulli | Power |
| Thavamindri kidaitha | Anbu |
| Andha Desathil | Priyamaana Thozhi |
| Vaanam Yenna Vaanam | Priyamaana Thozhi |
| Nee Thoongum Nerathil | Manasellam |
| Dolna | Parasuram |
| En Jannal nilavukku | Chokkathangam |
| Vasiyakaari | Geethai |
| Megathil ondrai | Kadhal Sadugudu |
| Unnai naan | Jai Jai |
| Kallai mattum kandaal | Dasavatharam |
| Sol sol sol sollamma | Kuselan |
| TITLE | MOVIE | |
| Ajeeb saa niha | Gaman | |
| Ganpati bappa morya | Dard Ke Rishte | |
| Om nama shiva | Teesri Aankh | |
| Hai mubaraq | Boxer | |
| Jhat pat | Sindoor | |
| Aao guru | Meherban | |
| Basuriyeh basuri | Sahibaan | |
| Ye lamhe, ye pal hum | Lamhe | |
| Khabi maiN kahooN | Lamhe | |
| Likha hai in hawaoN | Darr | |
| Aaj bazaar | In Custody | |
| Bharat hum ko | Roja | |
| Roja janey mann | Roja | |
| Tu hi re | Bombay | |
| Dekhiyeh yeh sansar hai | Sansar | |
| Sitam ke andhi se | Nayakan | |
| Thoda thoda pyar | Priyanka | |
| Khili chandni | Priyanka | |
| Zindagi mein tum mile | Kaalapaani | |
| Bachpan keSathi mere | Kaalapaani | |
| Mere yaaro dildara | Khabi Na Khabi | |
| Tum ho meri nigahon | Khabi Na Khabi | |
| Sun re sakhi | Humse Hain Muqqabala | |
| Dil ne dil se | Haqeeqat | |
| Hai Rama | Rangeela | |
| Telephone dhun me | Hindustani | |
| Chandare chandare | Sapnay | |
| Raat maheke to yun | Mrityu Dand | |
| Yeh sama | Great Robbery | |
| Chamka hai teri | Great Robbery | |
| College ke saathi | Duniyan Dilwalonki | |
| Kuch mere dil ne kaha | Tere Mere Sapne | |
| Pakka dilbar jani main | Khel Khiladi Ka | |
| Hum tumse na kuchh (solo & duet) | Ziddi | |
| Saila saila | Gundagardi | |
| Tumhe hum bahot pyar | Jallaad | |
| Na kuch diya | Jaalsaaz | |
| Milgayee | Love Birds | |
| Chappa chappa | Maachis | |
| Chod aya hum | Maachis | |
| Tum gaye | Maachis | |
| Bahhhon ke dharmiyan | Khamoshi | |
| Dil ke kalam se | Itihaas | |
| Footpatho | Mashaal | |
| Sun sajana ... mujhe chain | Judaai | |
| Ghoonghat mein chehra | Ghoonghat | |
| Ek tha raja | Virasaat | |
| Mere dushman mere bhai | Border | |
| I love my India | Pardes | |
| Hai hai | Betaabi | |
| Deewana dilkho gaya | Jab Dil Kisi Pey Aata Hai | |
| Jawani kyoon machal | Jab Dil Kisi Pey Aata Hai | |
| Ek duje ke vaaste | Dil To Pagal Hai | |
| Ek main aur ek thu | Daayara | |
| Kaliyon Si Palken | Vishwa Vidhaata | |
| Kal nahin tha wo | Vishwa Vidhaata | |
| Tu maange dil main de doon jaan | Aflatoon | |
| Tera gam mera gam | Ghulam-e-Mustafa | |
| Dauda Dauda bhaaga sa | Chachi 420 | |
| Gare dore | Chachi 420 | |
| Teri yeh bindiya | Do hazaar ek | |
| Romeo tere kismat | Mr Romeo | |
| Tauba tauba | Jeans | |
| Ajuba | Jeans | |
| Tu mere paas bhi hai | Satya | |
| Tum hi ho mere | Monsoon | |
| Mana ki mamta | Shyam Ghanashyam | |
| Tum dono ho ek se | Shyam Ghanashyam | |
| Oh no | Shyam Ghanashyam | |
| Oonchi oonchi | Achanak | |
| Wada karke sajan | Barsaat ki raat | |
| Atthanni si zindagi | Jahan Tumle Chalo | |
| Tere pyar ki aag mein | Prem Aggan | |
| Har dam dam badam (two versions) | Prem Aggan | |
| Jawan jawan hai | Bade Dilwala | |
| Chai chappa chai | Hu Tu Tu | |
| Hum to kho rehna | China Gate | |
| Sawan barse tarse dil | Dahek | |
| Sirf tum | Sirf tum | |
| Jhom ka hawa ka | Hum dil de chuke sanam | |
| Nahin samne | Taal | |
| Oh priya | Arjun Pandit | |
| Dhimmi dhimmi | Earth | |
| Chahe pandit ho | Hey Raam | |
| Janmon ki jwala thi tan mein | Hey Raam | |
| Dekho 2000 zamanna aa gaya | Mela | |
| Roja roja | Dil hi dil mein | |
| Swagatam | Dil pe mat le yaar | |
| Hum bhi samajh rahe hain | Ghaath | |
| Gup chup baatein | Love You Hamesh | |
| Diwanaa diwanaa | Pyar diwana hota hai | |
| Dil hamara hua | Albela | |
| Gum sum si ho | Pyar ki dhun | |
| Umeedein Dil Mein Machalti Huyee | Pyar ki dhun | |
| Paka mat | Paanch | |
| Kuch tum kaho | Kuch tum kaho kuch hum kahein | |
| Om jai jagadish (2 versions) | Om jai jagadish | |
| Sarfaroshi ki tamanna | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | |
| Chhod chala nirmohi | Maharaja | |
| Tum lakh chupe ho | Pyaar ishq aur mohabhat | |
| Yaadein yaad aati hain | Yadein | |
| Kuch saal pehle | Yadein | |
| Hum bhool gaye | Aks | |
| Main sochon | Tera mera saath rahein | |
| Yeh main kahan | Shararat | |
| Mastana albela | Shararat | |
| Tum bin jaon kahan | Dil vil pyar vyar | |
| (R D Burman track remixes) | ||
| Yeh jo mohabat | Dil vil pyar vyar | |
| Gum hai kisi ke pyar mein | Dil vil pyar vyar | |
| Oh hansini | Dil vil pyar vyar | |
| Tere bina zindagise | Dil vil pyar vyar | |
| Tum Bhi Na Mano | The Hero | |
| Jab Se Tumhara Pyar Mila | Jalan | |
| Doob Gaye Woh Din | Rim Jim | |
| Root Na Kar Mera Dil | Cappachino | |
| Tum Ne Dekha Ek Nazar | Jai Vaibhav Laxmi | |
| Yeh Dhoop Ek Safar | Dhoop | |
| Subah Ki Dhoop | Dhoop | |
| Kehti Hai Yeh Tanhahiyaan | Mera Saya Saath Hoga | |
| Yeh Hasin Chehara | Indira | |
| Yeh Aur Kuch Nahin | Lakhir | |
| Dukhmein Maa Sukhmein Maa | The University | |
| Terebin Yeh Dil | Baagbaan | |
| Yeh Dil Tuhi Bata | Oops | |
| Yaad Aaheh Woh Din | Chaand Tuj Gaya | |
| Aavo Karle Aisa Ek Waada | Charas | |
| Mein Kahin Bhi Rahu | Line of Control (LOC) | |
| Jahan Bas Raaz Hai Tera | Line of Control | |
| Tu Achcha Lagta Hai | Nayak | |
| Lee Humnethi Kasam | Halchal | |
| Bandh Aankonse | Das | |
| Rehathethey Ek Doosrey | Love, Sex, Etc | |
| Dil Kahi Ko Gaya | U Bombsi & Me | |
| Kitni Baathein Yaad Aaathi Hai | Lakshya | |
| Chilman Uthegi Nahin | Kisna | |
| Yuhi Chala Chal Rahi | Swades | |
| Ajnabhi Teharo Jara | Taj Mahal | |
| Apni Zulfein Mere | Taj Mahal | |
| Mumtaz Tujhe Dekha | Taj Mahal | |
| Dilruba Dilruba | Taj Mahal |
Early life
Hariharan grew up in Mumbai, and has bachelor degrees in science and law. The son of renowned Carnatic vocalists, Shrimati Alamelu and the late H.A.S. Mani (full name:anantha Subramani Iyer), Hariharan inherited his parents' musical talents. Alamelu was Hariharan's first guru (mentor). From here he picked up Carnatic music skills. He was also exposed to Hindustani music from a young age. In his teens, inspired by the songs of Mehdi Hassan and Jagjit Singh, Hariharan developed a passion for ghazals and started training in Hindustani music from Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. He used to put in nine hours of singing practice everyday. The committed Hariharan also put heart and soul into learning Urdu when he decided to become a ghazal singer. He has perfected his Urdu diction to such standards that even his audiences in Lucknow, the heartland of the language, have been wowed over.
In 1977, Hariharan bagged the top prize in the All-India Sur Singaar competition and was promptly signed on by the late music director Jaidev to sing for the Hindi film Gaman. His debut song "Ajeeb Saane He Mujh Par Qarar" in that movie became such a hit that it won Hariharan an Uttar Pradesh state award, as well as a Best Singer National Award nomination, and Hariharan's playback singing career took off.
Rise to fame
At the start of his career, Hariharan did the concert circuit and also performed on TV. He sang for a number of TV serials (e.g., Junoon). In addition, he cut several successful ghazal albums, writing most of the scores himself. One of Hariharan's first ghazal albums was "Abshaar-e-Ghazal" with Asha Bhonsle, which went gold in sales. Another outstanding ghazal album was "Gulfam", which not only hit double platinum in sales but also fetched Hariharan the Diva Award for the Best Album of the Year in 1994.
Hariharan entered the world of Tamil films in 1992 introduced by debutant music director A.R Rahman with the patriotic song "Thamizha Thamizha" in Maniratnam's film Roja. He was judged best male playback singer in the 1995 Tamil Nadu State Government Film Awards for his soulful rendition of the song "Uyire Uyire" also by music director A.R Rahman in Maniratnam's Bombay (Hariharan sang the song with K.S. Chitra). "Uyire Uyire" is better known as "Tu Hi Re" in its Hindi version. Hariharan has been one of the most trusted singer of A R Rahman and has sung many songs for him in long list of movies that includes Roja, Sapnay, Jeans, Hindustani, Dil hi dil me, Taal, Bombay, Rangeela, Nayak and many more . In 1998, Hariharan won the national award for the best playback singer for the soulful rendition of the song "mere dushman mere bhai" from the Hindi movie Border, composed by Anu Malik.
The year 1996 was a career milestone; he released the fusion album Colonial Cousins with Bombay-based composer/singer Leslie Lewis. This was the first Indian act to be featured on MTV Unplugged. It won a string of awards including the MTV Indian Viewers' Choice award.
Hariharan has also acted in a Tamil film with Khushboo, titled Power of Women & also played cameo roles in the Tamil film Boys & the Malayalam film Millennium Stars.
Recent years
In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and Yesudas Award for his outstanding performance in music.
Hariharan also collaborated with Pakistan based band Strings for a track called "bolo bolo". Hariharan released an album called destiny with Punjabi / bhangra artiste Daler Mehndi. His newest Ghazal album "Lahore ke rang, Hari ke sang" with renowned ghazal composers from Pakistan won him rave reviews and critical acclaim inside and outside india. He also coined the terminology "Urdu Blues" with his immensely successful album "Kaash" which featured musicians like Anandan Sivamani the percussion maestro, Ustaad Rashid Mustafa on tabla, Ustad Liyaqat Ali Khan on Sitar & Ustad Sultan Khan on Sarangi. Hariharan also worked with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain on his ghazal album Haazir.
His Major Ghazal Albums
Shamakhana (concert recording; includes songs by Anuradha Paudwal)
Mausam (same concert recording as Shamakhana; slightly different song selection)
Sukoon (1983)
Aab Shaar-e-Ghazal (with Asha Bhosle; music for all eight tracks composed by Hariharan; 1985)
Reflections (1987)
Dil Nasheen (1988)
Dil Ki Baath (1989)
The Very best of Hariharan ghazals (compilation album; 1989)
Hariharan in concert (1990)
My Favourite Hits (compilation album; 1990)
Hazir (with Zakir Hussein on Tabla; 1992)
Gulfam (1994)
Paigam (1995)
Qaraar (1995)
Saptarishi (concert recording; 1995)
Visaal (1996)
Jashn (1996)
Aathwan Sur -- The Other Side of Naushad (1998), written & composed by Naushad
Kaash (2000)
Lahore Ke Rang, Hari Ke Sang (2006)
Waqt Par Bolna (2007)
(*LIJU KALABHAVAN*)
HIM, HER AND THAT HAIR
Date: 09/02/2005
HARIHARAN AND his wife Lalitha give us glimpses of what keeps their marriage alive and ticking. Quiet and demure Lalitha seems to be a perfect foil for the flamboyant Hariharan.
Hariharan made his debut as a playback singer with Gaman, after making his name as a ghazal singer. His soulful song "Thamizha, Thamizha" for Roja (1993) under A.R. Rahman's baton made him a household name in the South. In 1996, Colonial Cousins, his album with Leslie Lewis, catapulted him to international fame. While Hariharan is busy with his singing career, Lalitha lives in Bangalore with their two sons.
SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN records as the duo chats.
Hariharan: Most people don't know that ours was an arranged marriage.
Lalitha: We had the horoscopes matched.
Hariharan: We met over a glass of juice.
Lalitha: My mom asked me to wear a Kanchipuram sari.
Hariharan: You had oiled your hair.
Lalitha: I had very long hair then. My hair was oiled and plaited with flowers.
Hariharan: She came across as a very frank person. Very innocent.
Lalitha: The first time I went to Bombay was after my marriage. We were married in 1984. At that time you were an upcoming artiste.
Hariharan: There came a time when I said, `Don't call me upcoming. Just call me an artiste.'
Lalitha: What I like about you is that you are a true musician. Your style is unique and you don't try to copy anyone. Truly dedicated to music. I think your first love, wife, children — everything is music. The rest follows.
Hariharan: There are times when I just don't feel like singing. After that I am totally in my shell. It happens sometimes. Especially when I am recording an album. Two, three months and I am gone.
Lalitha: I sometimes say, `You have not spent time with me today. You haven't spent time in a week.' Your reply: `I was home all the time.' `Home the whole day' would mean he was in his own world. You would say, `I had lunch with you, I had tea with you.' During lunch and tea, your mind would be elsewhere. Your toes move (keep time) even when you are asleep.
Hariharan: As a child my home was full of music. My father had a house in Thiruvananthapuram. My dad, H.A.S. Mani, a Carnatic singer, died in 1963. I was about nine then. There was a shop selling firewood right opposite the house. I was fascinated by the woodcutter there, his physique and stamina. He was my childhood hero. Then there was a small Siva temple. My mother used to tell me how I used to run there and get prasadam. Small memories of Thiruvananthpuram. My mother Alamelu Mani is also a singer. I used to be very scared of my father. Those days, you were in awe of your father. My first guru was my mother. I picked up ragas, varnams and keerthanams from her. I was 19 and in college when I first heard Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
I was zapped and joined him as a student. Luckily for me, he was open-minded. He is one person who had sung ghazals, film songs... In 1978, I listened to Mehdi Hasan. The kind of dimension he gave to ghazals was amazing. Basically, I love to sing songs. Ghazals are very conversational; it means to talk to your loved one. It could be to anyone — your child, partner, lover, God, nature. I try to put that conversational aspect into my film songs too. That kind of personal touch has to be there.
Lalitha: I enjoy many of your songs. "Uyire" (from Bombay) is right on top of that long list. I don't sing. I have stated that two singers in the family are enough. I prefer doing the management.
Hariharan: You manage our big shows like when we have a 40-piece orchestra. Then I have another show called Soul India when I sing all my songs in two hours.
(Ask him about his ponytail and... )
Hariharan: Well, it is very simple. I used to go to a hairstylist called Anand. He was quite a cat himself. Lot of style like Rajesh Khanna. He used to cut my hair and occasionally keep looking at himself in the mirror. (Imitating the hair stylist, he goes `khat, khat... .' with an imaginary pair of scissors). So he told me: Haribhai yeh thoda grow kijiye. Aap ke liye acha lagega. (Grow your hair a bit. It will look good on you.) This was much before Colonial Cousins.
Lalitha: (Mischievously) I started chopping my hair shorter and you kept growing it.
Hariharan: So I kept growing my hair and I got the name pony-tailed ghazal gayak. After three-four years, my time came. I became popular and people attributed my hair to my popularity. They wanted to know if I was a musical Samson. Some others wanted to know if it was something spiritual. I said, no baba. It's nothing. Now, maybe after a decade, people identify me with that. I'd better keep it. (Laughs loudly.)
Lalitha: I don't like it.
Hariharan: (Surprised) You don't like my hair?
Lalitha: I've got to plait it. I've got to take care of it. A lot of work.
Hariharan: I thought you loved it.
Lalitha: Really? Before a show, when I want you to portray a certain style for a song, I've got to work on your hair.
Hariharan: (Guffawing) It seems to be getting into everybody's hair.
Lalitha: Our sons, Akshay, who is 18, and Karan, 12, want to grow their hair like you.
Hariharan: Yes, both of them. They are inspired by my hair. They keep saying, `Dad, you have long hair.' So I tell them, first get out of your school and college and then do what you want. I don't have any hassles.
Before Colonial Cousins, I was known more as a ghazal singer. My albums Reflection and Hazir, which I had done with Zakir Hussain, had clicked. But ghazals don't have mass appeal. When Colonial came along, it was so different and fresh, it was a massive hit. The lasting image people carry of me today would be Colonial Cousins. It also attracted a lot of people who were not really into Indian music.
Lalitha: After Colonial Cousins, gradually your popularity started growing and we became accustomed to it. I used to manage everything and the Colonial Cousins' concerts used to keep me occupied for a long time.
Hariharan: Suddenly from 10 calls, it used to be 100 calls a day.
Lalitha: We didn't have any office personnel then. I used to handle the shows and produce them too. I enjoy it because it is something different from what I do. Of course, we do take a break. I make sure that every year we take off to some place together.
Hariharan: At least for a month.
Lalitha: Whichever places take our fancy. We have gone to Africa, places in India, Switzerland...
Hariharan: I just loved Africa. No phones or TV. I really bonded with my kids then.
-(LIJU KALABHAVAN)-
