A symphony of ghazals enthralls Hyderabad

"Ghazal gayi nahi jati, ghazal mehsoos ki jaati hai...” legendary ghazal maestro, Mehdi Hassan had once said. And this Sunday, Hyderabadis actually got a feel of what he would have meant, at The Sound of Silence — A Ghazal Symphony, which brought ghazal out of its traditional format. featuring performances of Talat Aziz, Pankaj Udhas and Rasika Shekhar and Deepak Pandit, the show had 12 string sections, various percussion, keyboard, guitar and flute accompanying the ghazals.Deepak Pandit, one of the finest violinists of the country, was the brain behind it. Pointing out to him and his group, Talat Aziz said, “They have created a very unique concept. Shows toh hote hi rehte hai, but this is special. And I am very glad that it began in Hyderabad. A lot of people think that this is orchestra, but no, it’s a symphony, much different from an orchestra.” True, the traditional compositions were given a whole new feeling with the fine music arrangement.
The concert began with Rasika Shekhar’s flute and Deepak Pandit’s violin spelling melody. Rasika’s promising voice set the atmosphere for the evening with beautiful compositions like Aey Mohabat Tere Anjam Pe Rona Aaya and Zindagi Main Toh Sabhi Pyar Kiya Karte Hain. Rasika and Deepak also sang a soulful duet, Koi Paas Aaya Savere Savere, before the legends took to stage.
Talat Aziz began his performance with the famous ghazal, Phir Chhidi Raat Baat Phoolon Ki Raat Hai, followed by a ghazal he claimed to have never sung anywhere: Maine Roka Bhi Nahin Aur Woh Thehra Bhi Nahin. He said, “I was intrigued when I came across the song. I sang a few lines to Deepak and he said, Talatji, yeh gaana to iss special concert ke liye banta hi hai!” He rendered some of the popular nagmas like, Zindagi Jab Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein Laati Hai Hamein from the film Umrao Jaan, Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo by Begum Akhtar, Apni Marzi Se Kahan by Jagjit Singh, his first ever ghazal, Kaise Sukoon Paun Tujhe Dekhane Ke Baad. While taking the rasikas on a musical sojourn, he got chatty in between, keeping the audience engaged.
After a short break when Pankaj Udhas, took the stage, the audience was left spellbound. The 65-year-old maestro’s electrifying performance and unwavering voice is still as mesmerising today, as it was decades ago.
He started with his most famous classic Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera which set the ambience. As he rendered his popular numbers, Chithi Aayi Hai, Ghungroo Toot Gaye, Na Kajre Ki Dhaar, Aahista Kijiye Baatein, he took the audience down memory lane, ending the show on a heavy dose of nostalgia.