About
Biography
The band Hari Mata Hari was established in September 1985 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, emerging from the group Baobab. Its formation included members Izo Kolečić, Edo Mulahalilović, Pjer Žalica, and Zoran Kesić, but it is most closely associated with lead singer Hari Varešanović, whose stage name became the band’s moniker. Varešanović, born in Sarajevo’s Vratnik neighborhood, hailed from a musical family; his grandfather was a noted sevdalinka singer. Varešanović began performing at age six, singing at local cultural centers, and by ten, he was part of groups like “Omi” and “Sedam šuma.” His first recorded song, “Zašto da ne uzmem nju,” was made in Vratnik, marking the beginning of a prolific career.
Before Hari Mata Hari, Varešanović was active in other musical ventures. In 1979, he joined the group Zov, recording the hit “Poletjela golubica sa Baščaršije.” He also sang with “Ambasadori,” further maturing as an artist. Following military service in Niš, he released his solo album Zlatne Kočije in 1984, setting the stage for the band’s formation.
Hari Mata Hari’s early success was marked by winning the festival “Nove nade, nove snage” in 1985, the same year of their debut album, U tvojoj kosi. Their second album, Ne bi te odbranila ni cijela Jugoslavija (1986), was named the best album of the year, solidifying their presence. Subsequent releases like Ja te volim najviše na svijetu (1988, 300,000 copies sold), Volio bih da te ne volim (1989, 500,000 copies), and Strah me da te volim (1990, 700,000 copies) showcased their commercial prowess, with love ballads becoming a hallmark of their style.
The band’s trajectory was disrupted by the Yugoslav wars, particularly affecting their 1991 album Rođena si samo za mene, which saw reduced activity due to the conflict. As refugees in Germany, they released Ostaj mi zbogom ljubavi in 1994, demonstrating resilience. Later albums such as Ja nemam snage da te ne volim (1998), Baš ti lijepo stoje suze (2001), Ružmarin (2002), Zakon jačega (2004), Sreća (2009), and Ćilim (2016) continued to build on their legacy, with sales exceeding 5 million albums overall and over 1,000 concerts performed.
Hari Mata Hari’s international profile was elevated through their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2006, they represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in Athens with “Lejla,” written by Fahrudin Pecikoza, Dejan Ivanović, and Željko Joksimović, achieving third place with 229 points. The music video, directed by Pjer Žalica, featured traditional Bosnian settings like Blidinja and Mostar, ending with the iconic Stari Most. However, their 1999 attempt with “Starac i more” was disqualified due to song status issues, later sold to Finland and performed by Janne Hurme as “Sydänveri” in 1997.
The band has also garnered significant accolades, including the 2002 Davorin award for song of the year with “Kao Domine” and the 2009 Grand Prix at the Croatian Radio Festival. These achievements underscore their influence in the music industry.
Varešanović’s collaborations have enriched Hari Mata Hari’s repertoire. Notable duets include “Crni snijeg” with Hanka Paldum in 2001, alongside works with Tatjana Matejaš-Tajči, Haris Džinović, Halid Bešlić, Nina Badrić, Eldin Husenbegović, Ivana Banfić, and Kemal Monteno. Their music, primarily pop with elements of pop rock and adult contemporary, is characterized by emotive love ballads, resonating deeply with audiences in the former Yugoslavia.
The band’s lineup has evolved over the years. Current members include Hari Varešanović (vocals), Izudin Kolečić (drums), Adis Vuga (keyboards), Dženan Selmanagić (electric guitar), and Lordan Muzaferija (bass guitar). Past members such as Karlo Martinović, Nihad Voloder, Neno Jeleč, Adi Mulahalilović, Edo Mulahalilović, Miki Bodlović, Pjer Žalica, Zoran Kesić, and Željko Zuber reflect the band’s dynamic history. This fluidity has allowed Hari Mata Hari to adapt and thrive through changing musical landscapes.
Entries
Lejla
Country
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Year
2006
Language
Bosnian
Lyrics
Fahrudin Pecikoza
Dejan Ivanović
Music
Željko Joksimović
Backings
Ksenija Milošević
Ivana Čabraja
Results Semi
Points: 267
Position: 2
Running order: 22
Results Finals
Points: 229
Position: 3
Running order: 13
