P Sundram had the opportunity of hanging around with the Hariharans during their visit to Singapore in October 1997 in connection with Hariharan's performance in a Tamil variety show, "October Minnal". Here are Sundram's personal impressions.
7.45 pm, 1st October. It was with some degree of trepidation that I knocked at the door of room 431, Imperial Hotel -- for he had been a bit starchy when I spoke to him on the phone two weeks earlier. She, for her part, had sounded formidable, with her assertive tone. I braced myself for a polite dismissal after a 10-15 minute audience.
But, surprise, surprise. It was as if an idol had stepped off the pedestal and assumed human form. For, by the end of that first day's meeting, Hari had fixed me a screwdriver and was chatting as if we had known one another for eons, and I had had the audacity to tease him about the pony-tail and the greys.
Believe me, it wasn't the Smirnoff that emboldened me but their bonhomie and sense of humour. He had none of the airs of a star. His warm, vibrant nature and almost childlike innocence was infectious. He was excitedly telling me about the day's purchases while she was teasing him about his fetishes (designer shoes, watches, chains ...). And, my inhibitions melted away.
Notwithstanding the locks and hip dressing, Hari isn't exactly a bohemian with an unconventional and anarchic bent. He is more in the yuppie mould -- sophisticated and fundamentally conservative in instinct, even if open-minded in many ways. Over four days, the three of us talked about worldviews and lifestyles and found ourselves able to connect in many ways -- from our disdain for meaningless rituals and symbols to a fondness for the good things in life ... What struck me most about Hari was his exuberance, his zest for life. An only child, he lost his father when he was seven, and life could not have been entirely smooth. But his optimistic approach to life and jovial nature, coupled with a staunch love for music and his perseverance, must have stood him in good stead and brought him to the pinnacle of success today. He also came across as a little idealistic and guileless, the type who only sees the good in people, the type who is willing to oblige all. Yet, he does have set ideas about certain things and can be firm when he wants to. By the way, folks, Hari didn't seem quite the prima donna or the big boozer that "Colonial Cousin" Leslie Lewis had made him out to be in that net chat last November. (See our collection of articles and interviews for a transcript of the chat.) He does not obtrude his presence on others and does give people due respect. And, he's more into sipping wine than getting sloshed on harder stuff.
On show day, Hari was a dynamo. He has a magnetic stage presence and enthralled the audience with an exceptional performance. Trimmer by some 5 kilos or so, he was able to rock, waltz and even bhangra on stage, inspiring the other, usually staid singers to match his motions and energy. He fluffed his lines twice or thrice but who cared when he's got a mesmerising voice and passionate singing style and shows plenty of creative talent with his lively improvisations. (For a brief review of the show, see "Concerts" section.)
One of you fans lamented that the website had no information on Mrs Hariharan. Petite and attractive, Lalita hardly looks 35 and a mother of two boys (11-year old Akshay and 5-year old Karan). She is no sari-clad mami. Her gentle and demure demeanour belies a strong will. Raised in Calcutta, the cartographer by training says her husband considers her Bengali in many ways, from the socialist leanings to the non-conformism. Her simplicity in dressing -- which stands in stark contrast to her husband's flashier dress sense -- probably spawns from those socialist leanings. And, she is certainly a lady with a mind of her own. And a broad mind, too. She believes in the need for individual space, even between husbands and wives, and is often cool about Hari's appeal to women -- clearly a sign of trust. Nonetheless, once or twice, I could detect a healthy glimmer of concern about the expanding train of female fans and admirers ogling at her man. (For his part, in spite of the charm he oozes aplenty, Hari comes across as a devoted husband and father.) An easy-going person, Lalita can be bubbly and charming with some and reserved with others. She does not suffer fools gladly.
The lady has a remarkable talent for managing her husband's career. She looks after his interests unobtrusively but with an eagle eye, ever concerned that none should exploit his amiable nature and short-change him. She is also something of a handywoman at home: while he was shopping for a portable cassette recorder for mum, it was she who was picking up cables, plugs and switches.
Husband and wife complement each other perfectly in a number of ways: while he is the indulgent parent, she plays the voice of authority with the kids (perhaps a legacy of her school-teacher days). While he appears to make decisions by intuition, she is the one who rationalises. While he splurges, she is the one more mindful of the bottomline. (But hard-nosed as she is, she was occasionally the doting wife when shopping -- "Hari needs a good cabin bag; this T-shirt will be perfect for Hari; Hari needs Body Shop soap; Hari likes digestives; I need a good scanner to capture all those newspaper articles and interviews involving Hari ...")
"I'm deeply honoured that you folks have taken the trouble to dedicate a website to me. Although I'm an alien in cyberspace, I do know well that setting up and keeping a website going isn't exactly a piece of cake; it takes a heavy toll on one's time and energy. Having devoted fans like you inspires me to produce better music. It's also wonderful to know that my music has been a medium for bringing together several of you fans, who were total strangers not too long ago. Music tames the savage beast in us. So keep listening to my music. Do also keep those newly-forged bonds of friendship growing, and we'll have a better world. Please use your website to tell my fans around the world that I love them all and will continue to produce good music for them."
© P. Sundram for The Official Hariharan Website
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