Born on April 3rd, 1955, Hariharan grew up in Bombay and has bachelors degrees in science and law. The son of renowned Carnatic vocalists, Shrimati Alamelu and the late H A S Mani, Hariharan naturally inherited his parents' musical talents. Alamelu was Hariharan's first guruji. From her he picked up Carnatic music skills. Hariharan's parents were musically open-minded and the young Hariharan was encouraged to listen to Hindustani music. Later, 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 ghazal "Ajeeb saane he mujh par qarar" in that movie became such a hit that it won Hariharan an Uttar Pradesh state award, and Hariharan's playback singing career took off. In his early years 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. He wrote the scores himself for most of these ghazal albums. One of Hariharan's first ghazal albums was "Abshaar-e-Ghazal" with Asha Bhosle, which scored 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. Now Hariharan is a much saught after playback singer in Hindi as well as Tamil movies. He has also teamed up with Leslie Lewis to form the group "Colonial Cousins". Its to be seen whether he persues ghazals with the same vigour, now that he even has a pony tail !!
Title | Contents | Label | Year |
Kuch Door Hamare Saath | | Yahi Waffaa Ka Sila Hai, Jab Raat Ki Tanhai, Kuch Door Hamare Saath, Log Kehte Hain, Sochte Sochte, Kahin Tare Kahin Shabnam, Pehle Bhi Jeete The Yuhn Na Thi | BMG Crescendo | |
Magic Moments (Ghazals) | | Awara, Hamne Kaati, La De Sharaab Sakhi, Pehle Bhi Jeete The, Tum Gaye, Sharaab La Sharaab De, Moh Dekhne Valo, Kuch Door Hamare Saath, Haath Mein Leke Mera Haath, Roya Karenge Aap Bhi | BMG Crescendo | |
Gulfam | | Mujhe Phir Wahi, Koi Patta Hile, Ahede Wafa Aahista, Daro Deewar Pe, Who Pilaye To Zara, Aa Chandani Bhi, Aks Chehre Pe, Kabhi Khushi Se | Melody | |
Paigham | | Jab Who Mere Kareeb, Lafzon Ki Taraha, Yeh Tajruba, Daag Duniya Ne, Aayi Idhar Baharein, Tadap Uthoon Bhi To, Do Roz Mein, Saaqi Sharab La | Melody | |
Aathwan Sur - The Other Side of Naushad Ghazals | | Mujh Ko Muaff Kijiye, Saawan Kay Jab Baadal Chhaaye, Aabadiyon Mein Dusht Ka Munzar Bhi Aayega Preeti Uttam - Ghata Chhaayi thi Saawan Khul Ke Barsa, Tanhaa Khud Say Baat Karoon, etc. (DDD) | Navras | |
Visaal | | Apne aaine men utaar mujhe, Daaim para hua tere par nahin hun main, Hava ka zor hi kaafi bahaana hota hai, Kyun hamen maut ke paigham diye jaate hain, Asar us par zara nahin hota | Navras | |
Hazir | | With Zakir Hussain. Jiya Jiya Na Jiya, Jo Bhi Dukh, Zindagi Jaam Se, Koi Saaya Zilmilaya, Phool Hai Chand Hai, Shahar Dar Shahar, Agar Yakin Nahi Aata, Dard Ke Rishte [50 Mins.] (Ddd) | OMI Music Inc | |
My Favourite Hits | | | Ahde Masti Hai, Main Khayal Hoon, Kuch Dur, Ek Bewafaa, Ye Sochkar Us Se Milna, Beeti Batein, Badan Mein Aag, Sakiya Jaye Kahan, Bhige Hue Lamhe, Etc. [71 Mins.] | OMI Music Inc | |
Saptarishi A Constellation Of Stars | | Live At Siri Fort -- Sangeet Mahotsav '95 / Daayam Padaa Huva, Mareez Ishk Ka Kya Hai, Mein Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka, Kadamom Ke Nishaan, Usne Jab Mujhse Kiya Bewafa, Etc. (Add) | OMI Music Inc | 1995 |
Down the Years | Adhe Masti, Ahista Chal, Jiya Jiya Ma Jiya, Kuchh Door, Sharab La Sharab De, Bharat Humko, Teri Meri Aankhon Mein, Tera Naya Naam | OMI Music Inc (Budget) | |
Halka Nasha | | Tera Naya Naam, Halka Sa Ik Nasha, Aankhon Se Baaten Karen, Duniya Parayi Huyi, Kaise Jiyun, Jawan Mausam, Duniya Bhar Ki, Hum Tera Intezar | OMI Music Inc (Budget) | |
Horizon Ghazals by Hariharan | | | Awara, Hamne Kaati, La De Sharab Saaki, Phool Ke As Pas, Sharab La Sharab De, Ban Nahi Paya, Sakiya Jaye Kahan, Kya Khabar Thi | Pan Classics | |
Sukoon Ghazals by Hariharan | | | Husn Ko Chand Jawani Ko, Jab Se Who Mapara Gauya, Paheli Baar Mile The Jaise, Haath Mein Leke Mera Haath Yeh Vaada Karlo, Roya Karenge Aap Bhi, Ghar Chhod Ke Bhi Zindagi | Pan Classics | |
Kahkashan - Saat Suron Ka Milan | | | Jagjit Singh Haath Chuute Bhi To and Zindagi Yn Hui / Alka Yagnik Saare Sapne and Jab / A R Rahman Masoon and Maa Tujhe Slaam / Hariharan Mujhko Mauff / Asha Bhosle Maine Bole/ Mohd Rafi Jis Raat Ke Khawab | Sony India | |
Dil Nasheen | | Aaj Bhi Hain Mere Kadmon Ke Nishan Aawara, Tujhe Kasam Hai Saqiya Sharab La Sharab De, Saqiya Jayen Kahan Hum Tere Maikhane Se, Phool Ke Aas Paas Rahte Hain, Sagar Hai Mera Khali La De Sharab Saqi, Etc. (9 Songs) | T Series | |
Qaraar | | Halat Meri Yeh Ho Gai Hai, Baante Hain Jisne Saare Jugnu Diye Sitare, Ghame Zaat Se Maavara Kar Gaya, Nazer Shanas Tha Kya Kam Kar Gaya, Zindane Subah Shaam Me Tu Bhi Hai, Wafah Ki Rah Mein--- Others. | T Series | |
Sukoon & Reflection | | Husn Ko Chaand Jawani Ko, Naam Se Wabasta, Husn Waalon Ka Khuda, Kab Tak Yun Hi Rulaengi Tanhaiyan, Jaaye To Kahan Jaaye Saaqi, Yun He Bes Ma Phira Karo, Muh Dekhne Walon Ke Liye, Etc. | T Series | |
Jashn | | Unse Jab Jab Bhi, Sab Kuch Sun Na, Aap Hamare Saath Nahi, Khud Ko Padhtha Hoon, Koi Mausam Ho, Muddaton Baad Surat, Jane Kaisi Pasand, Raat Khamosh Thi | Venus | |
Velvet Voice - Hariharan (Ghazals) | | Mujhe Phir Wohi, Unse Jab Jab Bhi, Koi Patta Hile, Aap Hamare Saath Nahi, Saaqi Sharab La, Jab Who Mere Karee, Kabhi Khushi Se, Raat Khamosh Thi | Venus | |