Hariharan sings to Pak tunes

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br /><img align="left" src="/photo/691711.cms" alt="/photo/691711.cms" border="0" />ISLAMABAD: Taking advantage of the thaw in the Indo-Pak relations, popular singer Hariharan has recorded his new fusion album in Lahore in association with Pakistani composers and musicians.<br /><br />Hariharan, who made a mark in the subcontinent with his 1996 fusion album <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Colonial Cousins</span>, said in Lahore that his new album was part of his effort to bring out something new and different.<br /><br />"The compositions especially those of Nazar Hussain are very different.Wazir Afzal''s compositions are simple but very melodic. Musicians here are good and exceptionally fast. We did the recordings at Folk Studio. It is a great effort from all of us.<br /><br />"The producer of the album Izat Majeed had been working on this project for the last seven months. We were able to record it in 15 days due to the spade work done in advance," the singer, who returned home on Friday, told <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Nation</span> newspaper.<br /><br />Hariharan, who spent a fortnight in Lahore to record the album, is among a number of Bollywood film stars and musicians who established quick linkages with their Pakistani counterparts to take advantage of the talent and scope that existed in Pakistan.<br /><br />Hariharan composed two songs for the album while his Pakistani counterparts, Nazzar Hussain, Wazir Afzal and Ustad Qadir Shagan did the rest.<br /><br />The new album also contained two songs of Amir Khusro and one of Hasrat Mohani. A thumri written by Adeen Taj of Karachi has also been included in the album besides a song by Soofi Mushtaq.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">"There is a lot of classical music element in the album but we have kept this element digestible. It would definitely appeal to the listeners. Art means that it should touch you without you even knowing what it is.<br /><br />"We have tried to do just that. My favourite song of the album <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mohay Apne Rang Mein Rang Daay </span>is an upbeat number. We are going to make at least one video but have not selected the song yet. This album will have a world-wide release by the end of this year," the 49-year old Hariharan said.<br /><br />About the song he sang in Punjabi for the album, he said it was not difficult for him as he sings in many languages including Telegu, Tamil, Malayam. "You have to have this knack of mimicking sounds and tones and I just tried to get that tone."<br /><br />Commenting on the music scene, he said the Indian music is film-driven but here in Pakistan bands are popular due to decline of film industry.<br /><br />"There was a time when non-filmi music was strong in India too but the music companies destroyed the whole thing. I sing 35 to 40 film songs in a year. Only soft and melodic songs suit me and this is the reason that I do not sing that much for films. <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Taj Mahal</span>, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Lakeer</span>, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Swadesh</span> and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Lashkaya</span> are the upcoming films I have sung in," he said.<br /><br />Hariharan said he has been singing since he was eight. "Now I want to do some international tie-ups with other singers. We want to do duets and more fusion."<br /><br />He recently recorded a song <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Bolo Bolo</span> with Strings band of Karachi and also features in its video shot in Dubai.</div> </div>