Ghazal is conversational: Singer Hariharan
Mumbai, July 17: National Award-winning singer Hariharan says he always tries to bring a conversational style in his ghazal singing.
He has come up with a new ghazal "Afsaane", which he has composed and performed. It is produced by his son Akshay.
Asked about the distinct singing style he has lent to the genre, Hariharan told IANS: "Look, I believe that ghazal is conversational. It is basically a conversation between you and your lover in a poetic manner. So as a singer, I try to emphasise on each word and maintain a style in my singing where the listener would think that I am singing it for that person."
The song is penned by Ameeta Parasuram, who earlier said that Hariharan had reacted to the lyrics quite instinctively and composed the song.
"I think singing and composing songs has become my second nature, so the moment I heard the poetry, the tune came to me spontaneously. It is almost like the response came from my soul... Music is that to me," smiled the singer.
Beginning his career in 1990s, Hariharan has sung numbers in the southern industry and Bollywood. He has a strong hold on classical music, and also played an important role in the glorious Indie-pop music in India as one half of Colonial Cousins.
Some of his film songs include "Roja jaaneman", "Hai rama yeh kya hua", "Nahin saamne" and "Ay hairathe". He has worked closely with the iconic music director A.R. Rahman.
Hariharan, 63, hasn't been working in Bollywood projects that often.
Explaining why, he said: "I think the way the sound of music has changed, they do not need a singer like me anymore. The young composers are arranging music differently and they have their go-to singers. I look at the change this way."
What is the secret behind his evergreen voice?
"I still do my vocal practice everyday for an hour. This is an old habit and is a part of my lifestyle. But I do not practise for performing... That is not the intention. It is basically to keep my voice in shape, it is almost like the physical exercise to keep your body in shape."
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
