Hariharan Unveils Ustad-e-Ghazal Hariharan

Delhi witnessed a soul-stirring celebration of music, literature, and legacy at a special cultural evening marking 50 Glorious Years of Ghazal Singing by Padma Shri maestro Hariharan. Held recently, at the iconic Mavlankar Auditorium, the evening paid tribute to one of India’s most revered voices in the ghazal tradition.

The programme was hosted by Manmeet Singh, who guided the audience through a memorable journey of words and melodies.A key highlight of the landmark celebration was the launch of the book Ustad-e-Ghazal Hariharan, authored by writer and journalist Anand Kakkar. The book chronicles Hariharan’s extraordinary artistic journey and his invaluable contribution to preserving and enriching the ghazal tradition over five decades.The book launch ceremony featured an engaging and insightful discussion by eminent literary voices—Mamta Kalia, Om Nishchal, and Pratap Somvanshi—who reflected on the cultural significance of Hariharan’s work and the relevance of ghazals in contemporary times.Adding to the celebratory spirit, Hariharan also released his new ghazal album on the occasion, marking yet another milestone in his illustrious musical journey.

The evening was further graced by the presence of distinguished guests including Dr Harshvardhan, K. Satish Nambudiripad, filmmaker Hari Shankar Rathi, and poet Alok Shrivastav, alongside several luminaries from the worlds of media, arts, and culture.A significant announcement during the evening was the introduction of Sartaj-e-Ghazal, a new ghazal-based singing reality show set to be telecast on Doordarshan. The show aims to discover and nurture emerging talent in the classical ghazal tradition, offering a national platform to aspiring singers while reviving mainstream interest in this timeless art form.The evening stood as a heartfelt and dignified tribute to Hariharan’s enduring legacy—celebrating not just a milestone, but a lifetime devoted to melody, poetry, and the soulful expression of ghazals.