The Inspiring Journey of Harish Wangikar

Music has been the soundtrack of my life since childhood. Growing up in a musical family, I was fortunate to witness the magic of melodies early on. My father, an incredible singer, led an orchestra called Rising Stars. At just four or five years old, I would watch him and his bandmates perform during their rehearsals, often holding the microphone myself, humming along. Those moments sparked a dream that would shape my life.

By the time I was in school, I was singing confidently and participating in—and winning—numerous competitions at both school and district levels. To hone my craft, I began formal training in classical and light music. However, life threw me a curveball; academics demanded my full attention, and I had to put my passion for singing on pause. It wasn’t until I earned my degree in mechanical engineering that I found my way back to music.

My comeback began by joining a musical group and performing in live theatre shows across India. Parallelly, I launched my YouTube channel, where I started producing mashups and cover songs. The COVID-19 lockdown proved to be a turning point—it gave me time to explore new dimensions of my artistry, and I began composing and writing original songs. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with prestigious labels like Tips Music, Saptsur Music, Pickle Music, and Pivot Music.

Two years ago, I started my own YouTube channel, Harish Wangikar, where I now share my original songs, primarily in Marathi. With a dedicated team of 8-10 people, we create professional music videos that reflect my artistic vision. Language has never been a barrier for me; I’ve sung in Spanish, Hindi, English, Marathi, and Telugu, adding versatility to my musical journey.

Like every artist, my journey wasn’t without challenges. In the early days of my career, I grappled with stage fright and performance anxiety. The fear of being on stage or auditioning in front of an audience was overwhelming. But by consistently facing those fears and performing live, I overcame them.

Financial instability was another hurdle. The uncertainty of work in the music industry compelled me to take up a corporate job to support myself while pursuing my dream. Additionally, maintaining vocal health has always been a priority, though I’ve faced occasional challenges like strain and fatigue due to rigorous commitments. Balancing market trends with my artistic vision has been another ongoing struggle in a competitive industry.

My first composed song for a renowned label garnered one million views within just four days of release. I was honored to work with the legendary Shri Hariharan Ji on an original track, which was a dream come true.

Through live performances across Maharashtra, my team and I have raised ₹1 crore for Naam, an NGO dedicated to improving the lives of farmers in drought-affected regions. Representing Marathi music on an international stage has been another highlight—I recently shot a Marathi song in London, now in post-production.

Even as a teenager, I had my share of memorable moments. At 14, I auditioned for Saregamapa Li’l Champs, clearing three rounds and receiving heartfelt appreciation from the legendary Alka Yagnik Ji.

Looking forward, I envision creating and releasing singles, EPs, and albums while experimenting with diverse genres and collaborating with other artists. Improving my songwriting and leveraging social media to amplify my reach are also high on my priority list.

Touring and live performances remain key to my goals, as I aim to connect with audiences worldwide. My dream is to elevate Marathi-language music to global prominence, blending it with different genres and cultural influences. Beyond music, I aspire to diversify into acting, exploring opportunities in movies and television.

Music is my identity, my solace, and my expression. From a little boy holding a microphone in a rehearsal to a performer and producer with a vision, my journey has been as melodious as it has been challenging. And as I look ahead, I remain committed to bringing my art to life, one note at a time.