Hariharan Discusses the Rise of Independent Music and His Ghazal Journey

Renowned singer Hariharan, celebrated for his versatility across genres, continues to place ghazals at the heart of his musical journey. His latest album, ‘Jaan Meri’, features five ghazals with lyrics by Farhat Shahzad, including ‘Baat Se Baat’, which fuses bossa nova elements into traditional ghazal. Hariharan began performing ghazals on Doordarshan in the 1970s and made his playback debut with the song ‘Ajeeb Saneha Mujhpar Guzar Gaya’. He rose to wider recognition in the 1990s through AR Rahman’s Roja soundtrack and the Hindipop duo Colonial Cousins. Hariharan explains that ghazals are a form of poetic conversation where the words take precedence over the music, requiring careful composition and live performance skills. Despite changes in Bollywood, he observes that independent music, including ghazals, is thriving both in India and internationally, with concerts often drawing over 2,000 attendees. He has also launched ‘Sartaj-E-Ghazal’ on Doordarshan to discover young ghazal talent across India. Hariharan shares insights into his collaborations with AR Rahman and Leslee Lewis, emphasising their dedication and focus. He attributes his longevity in music to disciplined practice, healthy habits, and attention to vocal care. Overall, he highlights that the ghazal remains a vital and evolving part of Indian music, independent of cinema.