Hariharan set to have Madurai tap to his tunes

MADURAI: Rarely does a playback singer burst into the Tamil scene with the impact Hariharan created upon arrival. ‘Thamizha Thamizha’, the patriotic centrepiece of the national award winning Roja, was an ideal launch vehicle for the singer and the beginning of one of most fruitful collaborations in all of Tamil cinema. Along with A R Rahman, for whom Hariharan continues to sing till this day, the artiste recorded some of the most soulful songs ever sung in Tamil. As more songswere released, Hariharan gradually became a household name and a rage amongdevout fans. With strong footing in Hindustani and Carnatic music, mellifluousvoice and a refreshing sense of intonation, Hariharan soon became acritically-acclaimed singer. His versatile voice promised a bankability thatlured many a composer to Hariharan’s doorsteps. Come August19, Madurai will get a chance to listen to the singer live. The electrifyingevent will happen at 7pm in Thamukkam Maidanam. "I’m reallyexcited about performing in Madurai as it’s been a long while since i sangthere. The last time I did a show there was during a Kargil concert. This time Iplan to sing many of my Tamil hits, and the music will comprise both fast-pacednumbers as well as melodious ones," Hariharan told The Times ofIndia.Through the ’90s, Hariharan dominated the playbackscene. His Uyire Uyire, sung with K S Chithra, became both a huge commercial hitand won him praise from critics. He was awarded the state award for the song.Soon his name on an album was enough to boost its sales. But before entering thefilm world, Hariharan was a ghazal singer of repute and significant popularity.He also was part of the first act to be shown on MTV. Collaboratingwith Mumbai-based artiste Leslie Lewis, Hariharan formed Colonial Cousins, afusion band, whose music became a rage. He released two more Colonial Cousinsalbums, which garnered fair attention, but never matched up to the first album.Hariharan has also released albums in collaboration with Strings, the Pakistaniband, and Daler Mehndi. Hariharan was born in 1955 in Trivandrum ina family passionate about music. He grew up in Mumbai. His mother Alumelu washis first guru.Later, ghazals of Mehndi Hassan and Jagjit Singhinspired him. He took Urdu lessons before turning a ghazal singer. In 1977,Hariharan won the All India Sur Singaar award. He also sung in the popular Hindiserial Junoon apart from many others. He was also a regular in the concertcircuit and on TV. His breakthrough in Hindi cinema came when composer Jaidevmade him sing Ajeeb Saaneha Mujh Par for Muzaffar Ali’s Hindi film Gaman,a performance that won him the Uttar Pradesh state award.Hariharanhas also appeared in the movies, most prominently in Power of Women alongsideKhushboo. He has also appeared in cameo roles in Boys and Millennium Stars. Hewas awarded the Padma Shri in 2004.