A music wizard casts his spell *Live performance by Hariharan at
Bangabandhu International Conference Centre*
<http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/photo_gallery.php?pid=132706>Left:
Runa Laila (left) introduces the artiste. Right: Hariharan (second from
left) performed ghazals, fusion and film songs at the concert. Photo: Neloy
HossainNazia Ahmed
If there is a singer who is beyond all the barriers between north and south
Indian music, it is none other than Hariharan.
Thursday night couldn't get any better when I got the ticket in my hand and
made my way into the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre for the
show. I figured the concert wouldn't start at 8pm sharp (major shows in this
city usually start late), but it turned out I was April fooled and late. The
organisers kept their word.
Looking from a distance, the master vocalist did not look the way he does on
TV but that heavenly voice sounded just the same. After he was introduced to
the audience by another star singer, Runa Laila, Hariharan started the
performance with ghazals -- "Tum Haqiqat" and "Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar." His
chaste pronunciation of words -- whether it was Tamil, Telegu, Urdu or Hindi
-- with precision and pause left a great impact.
The vocalist worked his magic with what he calls "Urdu Blues." With "Ye
Aaine Se Akele" and "Masti Hai," he demonstrated blues with chromatic notes.
The guitar solos with the blues legatos reverberated with his each note. He
even switched to a completely different raga midway -- music enthusiasts’
senses were in heaven.
His charismatic presence was evident when there were minor sound problems;
the seasoned performer tackled the issue with grace and humour. "Mohey Apni
Hi Rang Me Rang De" was the Sufi kalam that demonstrated complex gamak
(ornamentation that is used in the performance of Indian classical music)
and swara (scale).
*After a short interval there was the much-awaited moment. The flute played
the familiar notes of the timeless "Roja Jaaneman," the AR Rahman
composition (from the film "Roja") that introduced Hariharan to the mass
audience. As he sang, the audience fell in love with the song all over
again. "Ji raha hu iss liye, dil mein pyar hai tera...zulm seh raha hu kyun,
intezar hain tera..." blurred my vision with tears.*
His next rendition was the famous "Naghme Hai" (from the film "Yaadein").
Following that were the Tamil version of "Khili Chandni" and "Thoda Thoda
Pyar" (from "Indira"); "Nahi Saamne" ("Taal"); "Dheemi Dheemi" ("1947:
Earth") and the delightful "Chanda Re" ("Sapnay").
His pitch ranged remarkably in a single song and also he switched from one
style (classical) to another (western) effortlessly. Although he seemed to
have forgotten a few lines from his songs, it was excusable (I am guessing
its the temperature that got to him).
"Krishna," a fusion number of 'Colonial Cousins' and "Tu Hi Re" ("Bombay")
were his last numbers.
Thursday night's show was brought to the Dhaka audience by Papyrus
Communications Ltd. The Daily Star, Shomokal, Channel 1, bdnews24.com, Radio
Today and Anondo Alo were the media partners.
*The writer is a student of classical music.*
*http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=132706
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*Some pics I took from the event > *
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*Runa Laila with Hariharan > [image:
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*Hariharan ji said ... he is been following Runa laila's work from 1970s ...
and being an Bangladeshi I cant remember one single song sung by her !! that
is what ARR have done to me !!*
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*I have some videos from the event , as there was no such dramatic action on
the stage as u can see...only a few musicians involved and such a short
stage ... i will upload the audio version of his Roja janeman performance !!
There was hardly 2000 Audience with so many VIP /VVIPs present there !!
I've requested him to sing "Pachai Nirame" , Azahigiya Cindrella and jiv
Rangala - Jogwa ... but got no response from him :-( may be he cant perform
these songs with such limited number of instruments and musicians !!*
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- Regards
~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
