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| In conversation with Harish Raghavendra |
 He has sung for about a hundred
jingles, an equal number of film songs in Tamil, a song each in Hindi and Malayalam, and about thirty songs for Telugu films. And now Harish Raghavendra emerges in his new avatar as a hero, and one can soon see him on the screen in the film 'Vikadan', lip-syncing and dancing to his own songs with the buxom Gayatri Raghuram for company. 'Music is my top priority,' says Harish, and in a casual chat the singer-turned-actor talks about his two alternate professions.
On his entry into singing: I hail from a family of musicians, from Palladam a village near Coimbatore, and my father is a mridangam and ghatam player. I had no formal training in music, however, and got into jingles at a very young age. I've sung for about a 100 of them in all south Indian languages. My first attempt at playback singing was when in1997, Telugu music director Raj (Raj-Koti) signed me to sing for the Telugu film 'Panjaram'. I was only 18 then. Vidyasagar was the first to sign me for Tamil, for the R.K. Selvamani-directed 'Arasiyal'. It was only after that, that I started taking some training in music and vocals.
On the song that made him
popular: Though I'd got an introduction in two languages, and had sung for some more films it was the song from 'Bharati' that got me noticed. 'Nirpathuve... Nadappathuve...' tuned by Illaiyaraja was the one that established my credentials. Almost simultaneously came 'Minnale' for Harris Jairaj (a song in its Hindi version too). 'Azhagiya Theeya...' earned me accolades. Since then I've sung for all of Harris Jairaj's films till 'Leysa
Leysa'.
On his hit songs: After 'Bharati' and 'Minnale', I sang for 'Dumm Dumm Dumm' ('Designu Raja...'); for the Vijay starrer 'Shah Jahan' where the songs by Mani Sharma were major hits. In 'Youth' it was the popular song 'Shakkara Nilave...'. Then came songs for films like 'Samurai', 'Shri', 'Deena', 'April Mathathil', 'Solla Marantha Kathai' (again for Illaiyaraja); 'Run' for Vidyasagar, and the latest is the P.C. Sriram-directed 'Vaanam Vasaipadum' for the late Mahesh. I've crossed the century mark and sung for almost all the younger heroes and music directors.
On singing in other languages: After 'Panjaram', I sang for the Telugu film "Neetho' under Vidyasagar's baton. I've since sung for about thirty songs for Telugu, including for films like 'Cheli', and 'Priyadarshini'. I've just entered the Malayalam field and sang a song tuned by Manikandan. It's a new unit.
On singing for Illaiyaraja and his sons: Illaiyaraja is a hard taskmaster and a perfectionist. It's really tough singing for him, because he does not let go till he gets the result he wants. It's like a training ground for any singer, and singing for him, I've become more disciplined and streamlined in my singing. Kartik and Yuvan are my age group; there's a lot of informality and the duo are more flexible.
Why not Rehman: I really haven't sung for Rehman. I hope it happens in the near future and I'm looking forward to it!
 On his switch to acting: I kept getting these acting offers all along, and I kept refusing them. For, my mind was full of music! Then everyone started urging me to give it a try. So when Arun Pandian approached me with this interesting script I thought I'll try it out. He had seen me on a TV interview, and thought I would fit his hero in 'Vikadan'. I'd seen his debut directorial venture 'Devan' and liked it. But I made it clear to him that music was my priority. He was very understanding. And whenever I had my recordings he let me go. Two schedules are over now.
On his role: The film is an action-oriented thriller and I play this foreign-returned youth who becomes a victim of circumstances, finds himself caught in a web of intrigue, and has to extricate himself from it. I'm paired with Gayatri Raghuram. I sing my own songs here. Music is by Jerome Pushparaj, a popular
rhythm player of the '80s' and a practicing lawyer today.
On facing the camera for the first time: It was not new for me, as I had anchored a few music shows on TV. But then when I started shooting, I realised that acting was quite a different ball game all together from singing and anchoring shows! The first two days were tough ones, but Arun Pandian guided me through it. And I'm more comfortable today emoting for the camera.
On his future plans: Music is my passion and I'll continue singing. As for acting, it all depends on the response to my first film. I'll wait for the release and then decide.
Malini Mannath
published on 14th Nov 2002
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