Hariharan’s ghazal recordings include Aabshar with Asha Bhosle and Hazir with tabla player Zakir Hussain. These complement his film playback: the focus moves from a screen character to the interaction between a singer, poetry and accompanying musicians. His Carnatic upbringing and later Hindustani training informed both settings.

Colonial Cousins, his partnership with Lesle Lewis, added a fusion-pop direction. A listener can follow the ghazal recordings, film songs and duo albums as related but distinct parts of a career shaped by both Carnatic and Hindustani training.