Arjuna Harjai

Arjuna Harjai
Background information
Also known asArjunna Harjaie, Arjunaa Harjai & Arjun Harjai
Born
Delhi, India
Genres
  • Film score
  • pop
  • Hindustani classical
Occupations
  • Singer
  • composer
  • record producer
  • instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Piano
  • vocals
  • synthesizer
Years active2009–present
Labels
  • Aart Sense Records
  • Sony Music India
Spouse
Divya Harjai
Websitewww.arjunaharjai.com

Arjuna Harjai is an Indian composer,[1] singer and record producer based in the United Kingdom, working across Bollywood, independent music and advertising. Early in his career he composed "O Soniye" for the film Titoo MBA, featuring Arijit Singh in one of his early collaborations. A recipient of the Creative ABBY Awards Gold for original background score,[2] he is known for his longstanding association with director Nikkhil Advani, his viral "The One Minute Composer" series, and collaborative work with international artists including Machel Montano, Rashmeet Kaur and Natasha Noorani. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone India, NDTV, The Times of India and BBC Asian Network, where "Zikar Hai" marked his debut as Introducing Artist of the Week in 2024. His singles "Kaajal" (2025) and "Ludhiyane Waleya" (2026) were subsequently featured on BBC Asian Network. He holds the UK Global Talent Visa under the Exceptional Talent category, endorsed by Arts Council England, recognising his contribution to the South Asian music scene in the United Kingdom.[3]

Early life and education

Harjai was born in Delhi and began learning Hindustani classical music from his parents at a young age, gaining early exposure to a wide range of musical styles. He moved to Mumbai in 2006 to study further under playback singer Suresh Wadkar. He studied piano as his primary instrument, completing Grade 8 in western classical and jazz piano at the Delhi School of Music. In 2008 he graduated from SAE Institute, Mumbai, as the highest scorer in Audio Engineering. In 2009 he studied jazz and counterpoint composition under various music exchange programmes in Delhi and Mumbai.[4]

Career

Early career

While composing advertising jingles for major brands, Harjai assisted music composer Lalit Pandit on projects including Besharam and Dabangg. He began composing for cinema when Punjabi producer Rajan Batra sought a new composer for his feature film Titoo MBA. Harjai composed the entire soundtrack,[5] including "O Soniye", which featured Arijit Singh and Vibha Saraf. By 2022 he had composed over 500 advertising jingles and music for more than a dozen feature films. Over the course of his career in advertising and films, Harjai has worked alongside renowned lyricists including Gulzar and Irshad Kamil.

Breakthrough

Harjai's association with director Nikkhil Advani on the film Guddu Engineer and television series P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke brought him critical recognition.[6][7] For P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke, Harjai composed the original score across 107 episodes and wrote six songs, lending his voice to all of them alongside Nandini Srikar, Shashaa Tirupati, Jonita Gandhi and Surabhi Dashputra. He also composed three songs, the background score and trailer soundtracks for Advani's Lucknow Central, starring Farhan Akhtar and directed by Ranjit Tiwari.[8][9]

UK relocation and independent work

In 2021 Harjai relocated to the United Kingdom, initially on a dependent visa while his wife pursued a postgraduate degree. During this period he founded Aart Sense Records, an independent record label based in the UK, and continued composing remotely for Indian film and television while expanding his output as an independent artist. In 2023 he collaborated with Sounds of Isha, the music wing of Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, alongside international artists including Machel Montano, Marge Blackman and Sandeep Narayan, to create the Save Soil and Come Awake anthems in support of the Save Soil environmental movement.[10]

Harjai manages several YouTube channels. "Arjuna Harjai" serves as his official artist channel, attached to his profile as a musician, a role it has held since 2022 when he moved his personal vlog content to a separate channel, "Arjuna & Divya Vlogs", which he runs alongside his wife and has accumulated over 160,000 subscribers.[11]

The One Minute Composer (2024)

In 2024 Harjai launched a creative project titled "The One Minute Composer",[12] in which he composed and released tracks based on random prompts, each produced within a minute. The series included "Winter Ayun Waliye", "Mangoge Na" and "Zikar Hai", with all three reaching Spotify's Viral 50 charts.[13] "Zikar Hai" was a collaboration with international artist Natasha Noorani, recorded remotely between Harjai in the UK and Noorani in Lahore.[14] The song marked Harjai's debut on BBC Asian Network, where he was named Introducing Artist of the Week in 2024.[15]

Pyaar De Rang EP (2024)

Later in 2024 Harjai released the EP Pyaar De Rang,[16] a collaborative project featuring Rashmeet Kaur, Natasha Noorani, JJ Esko and Surabhi Dashputra, released through Aart Sense Records.

2025–2026 releases

In February 2025 Harjai released "Kaajal",[17] which was featured on BBC Asian Network. Later that year he released "Karigar" with Surabhi Dashputra in October, followed in November by "Only You"[18] featuring Neha Karode and in December by "Only You (Her)"[19] featuring Arunima Sharma. In January 2026 he released "Tu Hi Hai Channa"[20] with Surabhi Dashputra, followed in February 2026 by "Ludhiyane Waleya",[21] also with Surabhi Dashputra, with lyrics by Geet Sagar. "Ludhiyane Waleya" was featured on BBC Asian Network in March 2026.

Global Talent Visa

In a significant milestone for his international career, Harjai was granted the UK Global Talent Visa under the Exceptional Talent category, endorsed by Arts Council England. The visa is awarded to individuals recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in the cultural and creative sectors, and represents formal acknowledgement by the UK government of Harjai's contribution to the international music industry.

Harjai spoke about the achievement in an interview with BBC Asian Network presenter Preeti Kullar,[22] reflecting on his journey from Delhi to becoming an established artist and record label founder based in the UK. The recognition places him among a select group of South Asian artists to have received the designation.

International collaborations

YearTitleArtistsOrganisation
2022Come AwakeArjuna Harjai, Machel MontanoSounds of Isha[23]
2022Soil SongArjuna Harjai, Machel Montano, Marge BlackmanSounds of Isha[24]
2024Zikar HaiArjuna Harjai, Natasha NooraniAart Sense Records[25]

Extended plays

YearTitleArtistsLabel
2024Pyaar De RangArjuna Harjai feat. Rashmeet Kaur, Natasha Noorani, JJ Esko, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense Records[26]

Singles

YearTitleArtistsLabelLyricistNotes
2021Main Janu NaArjuna Harjai, Jonita GandhiSony Music India Surabhi Dashputra[27]
2021Arjuna's DroneArjuna HarjaiAart Sense Records[28]
2022Naa JaoArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsSurabhi Dashputra[29]
2023Shamil HoonArjuna Harjai, Divya HarjaiAart Sense RecordsArjuna Harjai[30]
2023JhootheArjuna Harjai, Jyotica TangriAart Sense RecordsJyotica Tangri[31]
2023KharaabArjuna Harjai, Jyotica TangriAart Sense RecordsJyotica Tangri[32]
2024Winter Ayun WaliyeArjuna Harjai, Jyotica TangriAart Sense RecordsGeet SagarThe One Minute Composer series; Spotify Viral 50[33]
2024More SajanArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsSurabhi DashputraThe One Minute Composer series[34]
2024Kyu Bhag Gayi TuArjuna Harjai, Anubhav SumanAart Sense RecordsArjuna Harjai[35]
2024BharamArjuna HarjaiAart Sense RecordsSurabhi DashputraThe One Minute Composer series[36]
2024Mangoge NaArjuna HarjaiAart Sense RecordsSurabhi DashputraThe One Minute Composer series; Spotify Viral 50[37]
2024KinaareArjuna Harjai, Shreya JainAart Sense RecordsArjuna HarjaiThe One Minute Composer series[38]
2024Challeya VeArjuna HarjaiAart Sense RecordsKumaar[39]
2024Zikar HaiArjuna Harjai, Natasha NooraniAart Sense RecordsGeet SagarThe One Minute Composer series; Spotify Viral 50; BBC Asian Network debut[40]
2024Rehn DeArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsSurabhi DashputraThe One Minute Composer series[41]
2025KaajalArjuna HarjaiAart Sense RecordsPriyanka R BalaFeatured on BBC Asian Network[42]
2025KarigarArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsPriyanka R Bala
2025Only YouArjuna Harjai, Neha KarodeAart Sense RecordsPriyanka R Bala[43]
2025Only You (Her)Arjuna Harjai, Arunima SharmaAart Sense RecordsPriyanka R Bala[44]
2026Tu Hi Hai ChannaArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsPriyanka R Bala[45]
2026Ludhiyane WaleyaArjuna Harjai, Surabhi DashputraAart Sense RecordsGeet SagarFeatured on BBC Asian Network (March 2026)[46]
2026ChitthiArjuna Harjai,Aart Sense RecordsSurabhi DashputraFeatured on Spotify's New Music Friday I-Pop [47]

Filmography

YearTitleNotes
2011Hair Is FallingScore
2012Manzoor NahiSong composed in response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape[48]
2013CalaporSongs and score; also sang two songs[49]
2014Titoo MBASongs and score, including "O Soniye" featuring Arijit Singh
2014ChudailMusic by[50]
2016Do Lafzon Ki KahaniComposed song "Ankhiyaan"[51]
2016Guddu EngineerSongs and score
2016P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeSongs, opening theme and score[52]
2017Mahi NRIMusic by[53]
2017JinduaComposed "Laaiyan Ve" and "Takdi Ravan"
2017Lucknow Central3 songs, score and promos[54]
2019Judgemental Hai KyaSong: "Kis Raste Hai Jana"
2019Motichoor ChaknachoorSong: "Choti Choti Gal"
2020Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte SitareSongs: "Neat Ve" and "Bimari"

Awards and critical reception

AwardProductionDirectorDetailsYear
5th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival[1]Guddu EngineerNikkhil AdvaniBest Music Award – Keh Nahi Paunga2016
Creative ABBY Awards – Gold[55]P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeNikkhil AdvaniOriginal Background Score – Rab Ki Baatein2017
Creative ABBY Awards – BronzeP.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeNikkhil AdvaniOriginal Background Score – Raahiyan Ve2017

Songs

FilmSongSingerLyricistYear
Manzoor Nahi[48]SingleSurabhi Dashputra & Arjuna HarjaiSurabhi Dashputra2012
CalaporMusicalLakshmi Madhusudan & Aishwarya NigamSanjeev Chaturvedi2013
CalaporTaranaSurabhi DashputraSurabhi Dashputra2013
CalaporI Love You MaArjuna Harjai & Surabhi DashputraSurabhi Dashputra2013
CalaporBindaasVariousSurabhi Dashputra2013
Titoo MBAKyu Hua RepriseNeeti MohanKumaar2014
Titoo MBAO RanjhnaSurabhi DashputraSurabhi Dashputra2014
Titoo MBAPlan Bana LeAishwarya Nigam & Surabhi DashputraKumaar2014
Titoo MBAAtyachaariSurabhi Dashputra & Arjuna HarjaiSurabhi Dashputra2014
Titoo MBAKyu HuaArijit Singh & Arjuna HarjaiKumaar2014
Titoo MBAO SoniyeArijit Singh & Vibha SarafSurabhi Dashputra2014
ChudailDas Rahe HainJonita GandhiSurabhi Dashputra2015
ChudailRaat Ye Kehti HaiSunidhi ChauhanSurabhi Dashputra2015
Hero (2015 Hindi film)Yadaan Teriyaan RepriseShipra Goyal & Arjuna HarjaiKumaar2015
Do Lafzon Ki KahaniAnkhiyaanKanika KapoorKumaar2016[56]
P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeRab Ki BaateinArjuna HarjaiKumaar2016
P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeRaahiyaSurabhi Dashputra & Shashaa TirupatiKumaar2016
P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeDhaageArjuna Harjai & Nandini SrikarKumaar2016
P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeAkhari Mod PeArjuna HarjaiKumaar2017
P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh KeIshq Hawa HaiArjuna HarjaiKumaar2017
Mahi NRIMera Mahi NRIKailash KherKumaar2017
Mahi NRITere BinaMaster Saleem & Shipra GoyalKumaar2017
Mahi NRIOne More ThumkaJonita Gandhi & Anubhav SumanKumaar2017
Mahi NRIBlonde NachdiHardy Sandhu & Jonita GandhiKumaar2017
Mahi NRIBathroom (Rap)Hardy SandhuKumaar2017
Mahi NRIBalle BalleHardy SandhuKumaar2017
Mahi NRITabbarLehmber Hussainpuri & Hardy SandhuKumaar2017
Mahi NRITere Bina (Reprise)Hardy SandhuKumaar2017
JinduaTakdi RavanJonita Gandhi, Akhil & Arjuna HarjaiKumaar2017
JinduaLaaiyan VeArjuna Harjai & Surabhi DashputraKumaar2017
Lucknow CentralTeen KabooterDivya Kumar, Mohit Chauhan, RaftaarKumaar, Raftaar2017
Lucknow CentralRangdaariArijit Singh & Arjuna HarjaiKumaar2017
Lucknow CentralKaavaan KaavaanDivya KumarKumaar2017

References

  1. 1 2 "Mumbai Shorts Int. Film Festival". miniboxoffice.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. ↑ "Creative Abby Awards 2017: Star Plus & Colors win gold". indiantelevision.com. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai speaks to Preeti Kullar about his UK Global Talent Visa". BBC Sounds. BBC. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai: My parents played an important role in my career". The Times of India. 29 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Just Pass!! (Titoo MBA – Music Review)". wordpress.com. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  6. ↑ Team, Tellychakkar. "Love over numbers: P.O.W - a hard hitting experiment on TV". tellychakkar.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai hopes to hit the right chord with his music". The Times of India. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "'Monsoon Wedding' song 'Kawa Kawa' recreated for Farhan Akhtar's 'Lucknow Central'". mid-day.com. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "Arjuna Harjaie composes a song using trash cans". The Times of India. 2 September 2017. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  10. ↑ "Sounds of the soil". Mid-day. 7 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "'The beauty of 'Choti Choti Gal' lies in the spontaneity of the lyric', says Music Composer Arjuna Harjai". radioandmusic.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  12. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai on Being the One Minute Composer and 'Winter Ayun Waliye'". Rolling Stone India. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "Man Makes Song From Random Words Given By Wife, Internet Loves It". NDTV. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai's 'Zikar Hai' Brings Natasha Noorani for a Song of Longing". Rolling Stone India. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "BBC Asian Network Introducing Artist of the Week". YouTube. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  16. ↑ "Pyaar De Rang". Spotify. 2024.
  17. ↑ "Kaajal". Spotify. 2025.
  18. ↑ "Only You". Spotify. 2025.
  19. ↑ "Only You (Her)". Spotify. 2025.
  20. ↑ "Tu Hi Hai Channa". Spotify. 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ludhiyane Waleya". Spotify. 2026.
  22. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai speaks to Preeti Kullar about his UK Global Talent Visa". BBC Sounds. BBC. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  23. ↑ "Come Awake". 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  24. ↑ "Soil Song". 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  25. ↑ "Zikar Hai". Spotify. 21 June 2024.
  26. ↑ "Pyaar De Rang". Spotify. 2024.
  27. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai and Jonita Gandhi's 'Main Janu Na' casts a spell of love". Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  28. ↑ "Arjuna's Drone". 5 September 2021. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  29. ↑ "Naa Jao". 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  30. ↑ "Shamil Hoon". 3 January 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  31. ↑ "Jhoothe". 28 August 2023. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023 – via open.spotify.com.
  32. ↑ "Kharaab". Spotify. 10 October 2023.
  33. ↑ "Winter Ayun Waliye". Spotify. 31 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "More Sajan". Spotify. 15 February 2024.
  35. ↑ "Kyu Bhag Gayi Tu". Spotify. 5 March 2024.
  36. ↑ "Bharam". Spotify. 22 March 2024.
  37. ↑ "Mangoge Na". Spotify. 5 April 2024.
  38. ↑ "Kinaare". Spotify. 5 April 2024.
  39. ↑ "Challeya Ve". Spotify. 24 May 2024.
  40. ↑ "Zikar Hai". Spotify. 21 June 2024.
  41. ↑ "Rehn De". Spotify. 2 August 2024.
  42. ↑ "Kaajal". Spotify. 2025.
  43. ↑ "Only You". Spotify. 2025.
  44. ↑ "Only You (Her)". Spotify. 2025.
  45. ↑ "Tu Hi Hai Channa". Spotify. 2026.
  46. ↑ "Ludhiyane Waleya". Spotify. 2026.
  47. ↑ "Chitthi". Spotify. 2026.
  48. 1 2 "Manzoor Nahi". Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2017 – via YouTube.
  49. ↑ "Calapor (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes Store. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  50. ↑ "Arjuna Harjai composes and sings a song with Sunidhi Chauhan". The Indian Express. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  51. ↑ "Music Review: Do Lafzon Ki Kahani". oyetimes.com. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  52. ↑ "Star Plus brings 'Prisoners of War' to India". indiantelevision.com. 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  53. ↑ "Mahi N.R.I. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". apple.com. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  54. ↑ "Sukhwinder Singh's "Kaavaan Kaavaan" to feature in Lucknow Central". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  55. ↑ "Creative Abby Awards 2017: Star Plus & Colors win gold". indiantelevision.com. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  56. ↑ "Do Lafzon Ki Kahani Songs". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
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