The world outside the four walls was also a similar mix with music at its center as the city exposed Hariharan to the devotional tunes of temples, street performances during Ganesh Chaturthi, the glamor of Bollywood and classical music concerts.

Born in 1955 to classical musician HAS Mani and Alamelu Mani, music was a natural choice for Hariharan.

Hariharan told PTI in an interview, “Music in my household was not just an art – it was a way of life. Growing up in a family of classical musicians was a blessing that I did not fully understand as a child. Had found.”

He said, “My earliest memories are filled with the sound of ragas being practiced in the early hours of the morning and the aroma of tea wafting in the air.”

The singer is celebrating his illustrious five-decade career in music with his ’50-Year Legacy Concert’ at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on November 30.

“It’s been a journey of passion, perseverance and deep connections with my audiences. It feels surreal to reflect on 50 years in the music industry. This concert isn’t so much a tribute to my legacy as it is to the incredible bond we share.” It’s a celebration of.” With my listeners.”

His early classical training, he said, became an anchor for future ventures in film music, ghazals, bhajans and his fusion band ‘Colonial Cousins’.

“It gave me the confidence to experiment, mix styles and adapt to the demands of different music worlds. Take film music, for example. It requires versatility; one day, you’re singing a romantic raga And the next day, you’re performing an upbeat song. Classical training helped me make those changes seamlessly,” said the 69-year-old.

His early training in classical music, while instilling a “deep respect for the craft”, also taught him that music is not just about performance.

“It’s about devotion”.

The singer started his playback career in 1978 with the song “Ajeeb Sa Neha” from Muzaffar Ali’s film “Gaman” and thereafter film music played an important role in his career.

Hariharan has sung some of the most memorable songs in films across different languages, including ‘Roja’, ‘Jeans’, ‘Humse Hai Muqabla’, ‘Bombay’, ‘Rangeela’, ‘Khamoshi: The Musical’, ‘Maachis’, ‘Dil ‘ Are included. To Pagal Hai”, “Stubborn”, “Iruvar”, “Taal”, “Guru”, “Enthiran”, “Sivaji” and “Sita Ramam”.

In a country like India where cinema is so deeply ingrained in our culture, Hariharan said film music provides an incredible platform and unparalleled reach to an artiste.

The Padma Shri awardee said, “For me and my career, film music was definitely an important step, but it was my foray into other genres – ghazals, bhajans, fusion music and live performances – that allowed me to create a legacy. “Helped in.”

While film music can certainly act as a springboard for a new generation of composers, Hariharan suggested that “it alone should not define their careers”.

“It provides visibility, recognition and a chance to collaborate with some of the best lyricists, composers and directors. It also teaches you adaptability—one day, you’ll be singing a soulful song; Next, a peppy dance number. That versatility can strengthen you as an artiste,” he said.

While Chennai is close to him for introducing him to the depth of Carnatic music and its incredible discipline, Kolkata for its soulful music, Bengaluru for its vibrant music scene and Delhi for its rich cultural heritage, Hariharan’s heart belongs to Mumbai, A city that taught them the importance of hard work and taking advantage of opportunities.

“It’s not easy – it’s fast, it’s competitive, and it demands everything from you. “Those early years of struggle, running from studio to studio, meeting musicians and getting rejected before getting your first break, were priceless,” he said.

He credits its diversity and inclusivity for encouraging him to experiment, saying, “Mumbai inspired me to be better every day, and that inspiration continues to fuel me even after all these years.”

Hariharan’s ghazals, bhajans and live performances are as popular as his film songs.

One of Hariharan’s most popular bhajans with Gulshan Kumar, ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ is one of the most viewed devotional songs on YouTube with over four billion views.

His ghazal albums including “Aabshar-e-Ghazal”, “Kaash” and “Lafz” with Asha Bhosle have established him as a skilled ghazal singer.

The concert in Delhi will take the audience down the memory lane of his remarkable career, featuring his iconic ghazals, Bollywood hits and classical renditions.

She is also looking forward to singing live with her band ‘Soul India’ and hopes to bring together all the different worlds of music, be it film songs, ghazals or bhajans.

The raw energy of a live band is different and he hopes he will be able to create an unforgettable experience for his audience on Saturday.

“There’s an energy on stage that no studio recording can replicate – the instant connection with the audience, the shared joy and the feeling of being completely present in that moment. Those experiences are truly unique, and they shaped me as an artist. And a person,” he said.

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