"REALITY SHOWS ARE DEFINITELY NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO BECOME A SINGER"
Interview Team : Abishek RaajaAhead of the music concert "Vanga Makka Vanga" happening on 13th November at Music Academy, Chennai, singer Haricharan engages in a conversation with sub-editor Abishek Raaja.
Is singing a talent that is inborn or it can be learnt by all?
Actual knack should be there, but just because you have it, you can't be irresponsible and not practice. Only prodigies like SPB sir, have the blessed quality to sing like that. Though he claims to be somebody with no formal training, he has been singing live shows since childhood. So at some level, you still need the training to actually find or create that talent to sing.
Only prodigies like SPB sir, have the blessed quality to sing like that
When did you actually realize that singing can give fame, money and peace?
Not until I took up film singing. I was a trained Carnatic singer and only after doing TV shows and later getting the chance to enter the film industry, I understood that for the service you render, people pay you money and give you back some love. My dad gave me the much needed insight about music by making me listen to MKT and TR Mahalingam. After formal training, all happened one by one. It's not that I'm getting all philosophical right now; it is actually the kind of music you get to do with quality musicians and probably doing 3 to 4 great songs a year giving maximum satisfaction than the money made from it.
It's all a phase. A lot of money will come to you. Then you'll again go behind the art. But at the end, it is peace that matters.
Tell us about studio singing.
As you said, for a stage singer, great amount of composure is needed for studio singing. Even today, I am learning to handle different kind of microphones. At what level you need to throw your voice, how to sing for a hero and when do you need to actually control it, you learn it all in a studio. Yes, for a live singer, studio might put a stop to their enthusiasm. In today's technology, we do a lot of post-production to a song. Even a word or the closing of a mouth will be separately recorded. But while performing on stage, you have to do it in a single take. Mistakes do happen and I would say that's the beauty of it.
In today's technology, we do a lot of post-production to a song
About the composers you've sung for
Gladly, from the kind of people I got the opportunity to work with, I'm able to contribute significantly to the art-form than what it does to me.
What do I say about Rahman sir? He is evolving every second. It's so challenging to tackle his compassion and creativity. You might be thinking something about the song, but he'll take something out of you and something totally different to the song will be got. He believes in the singer and sometimes, he might even change the tune because of a specific contribution from the singer. That's how Kaaviya Thalaivan happened. Rahman sir tells me how to use the best of a microphone and what it takes to passionately sing a song.
Raja sir helps you with the subtleties, to work as a team and not fake a bit. There will be a strict style and a neatly figured out tune to which you might have to play around.
Joshua Shridhar is a very special person to me. He gave me the first official break. Only after singing a kruthi to him, he got me on board. He is a very talented programmer who has also got Western-classical music as his strong point.
Yuvan is a very stylish composer. He would expect you to be cool about singing. As much as the music, he will also expect you to give a filmy touch to it. We recorded Thuli Thuli from Paiyya and Yaar Indha Pen Dhaan from Boss Engira Bhaskaran on the same day. You can actually give a lot of your own touch to the song and he'll use the best of it.
People like GV Prakash believe in a lot of feel more than anything else. When we were recording Aareero from Deiva Thirumagal, I was astonished by the kind of involvement GV showed in getting the core emotion of the song. If you had heard the rough track which he has sung, you will burst into tears.
Rahman sir tells me how to use the best of a microphone
How did you manage to come out of the strong influence of Carnatic music and do a variety of songs?
Thanks to my friends, I always had the exposure towards world music. I used to listen to a lot of pop during school days and try singing them. Carnatic music is like the exercise you have to do. It prepares your vocal chords for anything and you become a highly equipped singer. I have no clue about the jump I made out from the foundation and started singing different kind of songs, but I'm indebted to my friends who give me a lot of constructive criticism.
What makes Haricharan still be part of the race when there are so many new singers coming into the industry?
I always believe in reinventing myself. When I started in the year 2004, listeners used to tell me I sound like Karthik. That's when I started practicing a lot, creating a space for myself. I give a lot of time for practice and stay in constant touch with the changing trends. I work for the movie and try giving what composers expect. May be I am able to maintain relationships and not be a pain to deal with.
When I started in the year 2004, listeners used to tell me I sound like Karthik
What is so hard about stage singing? Even professional singers find it hard to recreate the original.
You have one single chance to bring back the magic. It is not like recording a song with multiple takes. There is a lot of technical influence in stage singing. There are sound checks, crowd noise, basic acoustics, stage monitors and audio reception. You need to hear what you are singing and take in a lot of energy to get it all right. But stage singing is a very serious business and you need prior practice to get it right. You can't take it for granted. Audiences are well informed and if you don't give them what they came for, then it's bad both ways.
I record my live programs, listen to them later and try enhancing them every time I perform. People like Shankar Mahadevan who I see as God is an amazing stage singer. But yes, stage singing is a difficult process and a gamble.
Reality shows. Is it the right way to become a singer?
Definitely not! During my days, we had judges who taught us and identified the potential in us. Now-a-days, it is all about attracting the audience, the gimmicks, ability to shout and sound appealing. We had a lot of healthy competition. We used to take one song and see how different singers would sing it. Later, we would try to emulate it. Now, it has become a meticulous task to perform an act and not sing with so much love and dedication.
The winners suddenly go to the pinnacle of earning money and are sent to the corners of the world to perform. A lot in them is brought out, but I wish the singers get to see the bigger picture.
How was it the first time, seeing your song in a theatre?
It was so exciting. I'm happy I still have that feeling. Made all my family members sit in front of it and experience it. Coming from a traditional family, initially they were never for it, but later they realized the impact and became extremely supportive. My mother, father and my wife take active part in my career.
I made all my family members sit in front and experience
Which hero suits your voice the best?
Recently, Siddharth in Kaaviya Thalaivan. He emoted really well to the intricacies.
Which female voice gels well with you?
Shreya Goshal and Shweta Mohan.
Any song you wanted to sing?
Pachai Niramae is my most favorite song on planet earth. I missed the song by 20 years.
What do you do to save your voice?
I am a very social person. I don't try too hard to save my voice. I regularly practice and during live shows I don't shout a lot out of enthusiasm.
Did you miss out on a song because of bad throat?
Didn't miss any song, but helped me out once. Rathiriyai from Pizza.
The lyricist who makes your songs special?
Na Muthukumar and Vairamuthu sir. I owe them a lot.
What singing does to you?
It is magical. Even sometimes, I get a little emotional because of the creative process. I am thankful to God for making me a singer.
Tell us about the live show, you are all set to do in Chennai.
It is for a cause and I'm so happy to be a part of it. Since it's an initiative and the proceeds go for the betterment of somebody's livelihood, I wanted it to be really special. So, I'm performing with my very close friends who are musicians.
“Bennet and the band” is a unique blend of various music cultures, which believes in experimenting and broadening their horizons rather than confining their music to a genre.
The band comprises of highly talented session artists and musicians with roots in eclectic genres and revolves around the founder member Bennet, who is also a Music Composer and a seasoned performer with a rich experience over 18 years. The other members are some of the finest musicians in the Country- Thanuj, Roy George, Nikhilram, Napier Peter Navin, Arunroop.
The gear used by the band includes a wide range like Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Recorder, Flutes, Saxophone, Tablas, Mridangam, Khanjira, Keyboards, Synthesisers, Piano, Acoustic Drums, Darbuka combined with African drum djembe and classical European instruments Violin, Clarinet etc. together with Electric bass.
My co-singer Pooja is one amazing talent who impressed the audiences with her performances in Super Singer and has a wide range of styles and moods in her voice.
More than singing, I have single handedly organized the event to make it a memorable experience for the audience.
Rotary asked me if I could do a fundraiser, I was more than happy to be associated for a noble cause. Please do come and support the change.
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