Zara zara behekta hai...

Tuning in to the radio and hearing the Tamil song Vaseegra play on the station, a rush of familiar emotions course through the listener as it was this very song that changed the fabric of music at the very beginning of the 21st century.

Poster of the blockbuster hit film, Minnale, 2001.

The general population of Tamil Nadu went into a frenzy after the release of this melody which was part of the original soundtrack of the movie, Minnale(2001). Broadcasted at a time when the concept of Youtube was yet to arrive on the local scene, so beloved was this song that audiences would visit the theatres repeatedly just to listen to it. Many mistook the composer behind the movie’s soundtrack as the great A.R. Rahman who was the most prominent composer during the time; but no, it was newbie Harris Jayaraj, a first-timer on the film scene, who managed to steal the hearts of people.

It was on January 8, 1975, when the birth of Harris Jayaraj brought a deeper and richer colour to the cloth of music. An irreplaceable milestone.

After his highly successful debut in Gautham Menon’s Minnale, Harris Jayaraj had firmly established himself in the hearts of his listeners. Breaking Rahman’s 9-year record, Jayaraj was awarded the Filmfare Award for the Best Music Director in the Tamil category, for his music production in the film.

From then on, all the movies he composed smashed box offices and became huge successes. A few of his widely-known works include Gautham Menon’s Kaakha Kaakha(2005) and A.R. Murugadoss’s Ghajini(2005). Film critics had nothing but praise for Harris Jayaraj, deeming his music to have the rare quality of being in perfect synergy with the film.

The child prodigy of noted cine guitarist, S. M. Jayakumar, Jayaraj fell headlong into the world of music at the tender age of 6. He formally began his Carnatic music training and kickstarted his career as a guitarist at age 12. Progressing to synthesisers and keyboards under the guidance of A.R. Rahman, Jayaraj began programming and worked in a staggering 600 projects until 2000.

Harris Jayaraj aced his 4th-grade exam from the world-renown Trinity College of Music, London; bagging the first position with the highest marks all-over Asia.

Staying true to his character throughout his sky-high achievements, Harris Jayaraj’s humility and dedication to his work showed in his music, garnering deep respect from the people of the country.

Not limiting his soulful melodies, Jayaraj soon had his debut in Telugu cinema with Vasu(2002) and entered the Bollywood scene with the Hindi remake of Minnale; Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein(2001).

Harris Jayaraj; PC- Imdb