Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

Harini unplugged

songster Harini sings both Carnatic and film music

It’s almost 9.30 p.m., the show is on. Harini is humming ‘Nila kahirathu,’ her next song on stage for Rosebowl’s AIDS Day Concert. After an enchanting performance, she sits down for a tête-À-tête. With over 2,50 0 songs and some prestigious awards to her credit, she talks straight from the heart about what makes her tick.

Excerpts from an interview.

A typical day

My day starts at 6.30 as I send my kids (aged six and four) to school. If there is recording, I practise the song. I keep listening to music throughout the day, on the way to studio…Evening is quality time with the kids. If I’m free we visit the temple, theatre… I hit the sack not before midnight.

Husband wife duo as singers

It is not a life which can be planned as both my husband, Tippu, and I are in the same field.

The scoring point is that there are no ego clashes. We dabble in a little composing too.

Rosebowl AIDS Day Concert

It was with a live band, which made it challenging and interesting. Moreover it is gratifying to perform for such a good cause and help create public awareness.

Memorable encounters

During a concert in Sri Lanka with Hariharanji I sang ‘Uyire…’ (‘Bombay’). After the song, he praised me on stage and that really touched my heart. Similarly, after the recording for ‘Nerukku ner,’ Vairamuthu Sir prophesied an award for it which I won at the age of 17. It was at a time when I was shuttling between school and recordings, almost daily.

Globetrotting for music

It has been a fascinating experience. I’ve travelled to Scandinavian countries, Africa, United States, Europe and all South-East Asian countries. I enjoy performing in Durban and Singapore because of the large Tamil population.

Secret formulae

I practise just before recording. I believe in listening as it doesn’t strain the voice. As I sing both Carnatic and film music, I need to preserve it for playback singing. My gurus also believed in ‘kelvi njanam’(listening and learning).I owe it all to my parents, Rahman Sir [A.R. Rahman] and Tippu.

Harini unplugged

I enjoy spending time with my kids. I also enjoy cooking and chatting with friends.

Favourite songs

‘Sonnalum’ from ‘Kathal,’ ‘Alankuyil,’ and ‘Nila kahirathu,’ to name a few.

If not a singer

I was always academically oriented. I first aspired to be a doctor, then dabbled in CA foundation and ultimately did MCA. I always had high dreams about myself and would have done something very cerebral.

25 years from now

I wish to set up a school for classical music. And most positively I would love to be with my grandchildren.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail