The name Harish Sivaramakrishnan has become a charm among music lovers for his cover versions of two songs, Sriragamo and Rangpura Vihara. One is a popular film song and the second is a classic Carnatic kirtan. Even today, listening to him sing these two songs is a delight, but audiences have a special fascination with his rendition of the Rangpura Vihara kirtan in a fusion style. There is a section in the social media world that always loves to hear Harish’s song. He finds time for singing in between his busy schedule. Harish Sivaramakrishnan with Manorama Online with highlights of his musical career.
Not particularly fond
Rangpura Vihara is a kirtan that should be well learned and sung. All kirtans are like that but this kirtan is one of the most difficult. Therefore, one cannot sing confidently without memorizing the notes. When you learn to sing, you will feel that you have done something great, something that satisfies your mind. That seems to be the specialty of this kirtan.
I love all the songs I sing. Only such things are sung. There is a special love for everything. It is learned at the age of 10-14. Those who used to listen to the radio in the past know how famous this kirtan is. I believe that familiarity and different presentation is what attracts attention. The audio and video of all the maharaths of Carnatic music singing with improbable beauty are equally famous.
This also naturally found its way into the songs I would sing when I started playing gigs with the band. This kirtan was performed for the first time with the band Aruna Sairam Mam. Once it got noticed it made it back into the playlist and got more attention than I expected. A lot of people say that this is the most favorite song I have ever sung. Very happy to hear that. This is the energy to reach the stage again.
Nothing else should matter
I have never conformed to the elite frameworks of music making. There are still judgments based on what a singer wears and where they sing. The subject should be only the song of one who sings shruti pure. The ultimate music belongs to the listener. If he can grasp it well then there is no need to make anything else the subject. .
Some of the comments that come when I sing and post songs are noticed. I don’t care about things beyond the song. It does not affect. If you point out the mistakes in the sung song then surely correct it and be ready to sing. Beyond that, the compulsions such as touching the head, cutting the hair, covering the peeth with leather, and singing only while wearing a scarf, seemed to be unnecessary. Music is both divine and human.
None of that matters
Fame is a good thing. But it is not the most important or ultimately necessary. There are so many people among us who could not learn music, who could not get the stage despite having the ability to sing well. I personally know at least twenty people who sing better than me. None of them are famous. But it is possible to please more people and find happiness in yourself. Others feel the joy of hearing music when they see them. Now in the digital age, it is possible to listen and watch the released songs. It was not like that in the past. One would have to wait for a film song or other events coming up during the weekend. Even in the digital age, there are people who live with limited facilities. Don’t you guys want to hear the song? A very common people would listen to the song through the choirs. All those who come and sing there are stars for the people there. Isn’t it a great thing when you can give them an experience that many ordinary people have never had before? Where does it matter if they are famous or not? For artists, the big thing is to have a space to express it, and thereby make a mark. So where does the reputation factor come in? Don’t we remember the one who drew us a beautiful picture, the one who sang us our favorite tune, the one who always made us crave food? What else is needed? All over the world there is room and people to listen to those who can sing.
Everything changes
Cinema is a huge medium and industry. The time is far away, at least in our country, when people will go to music the same way they go to movies. But buying concert tickets has become a common thing today. I recently sang in Kerala at a program that was attended by more than 4,000 people. More than 15000 people come as fans in every program presented by Arjit Singh. Similarly, the parallel music scene is also coming back from the slowdown caused by Covid.
Work and song
The music band I started while studying is still with me. The friends who studied together in college are still there. It is a part of life during studies. Even when he got a job, he was able to take the music band and venues with him as usual. I am not much of a singer. Only a handful of programs are undertaken per month. It is usually on the weekend. There is no work that day. Sundays will be reserved for music. Monday to office as usual. It has become a way of life. Practice for at least an hour every day. Like the music, the band’s stuff goes with life in a flow.
English Summary: Interview with singer Harish Sivaramakrishnan
