CHANDIGARH:
The city ghazal buffs on Thursday evening had a date with a bonanza of music, melody and muse, at the historic Museum and Art Gallery auditorium, Sector 10, Chandigarh.
The occasion was ‘Sham-e-Ghazal’, an evening of ghazals, organised by
the North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) Ministry of Culture Government of India, Patiala, in association with the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation, Chandigarh.
The mega ghazal concert brought artistes from Mumbai and Rajasthan under one umbrella to present a bouquet of ghazals, poetry and music.
The evening soaked in divine music turned nostalgic as acclaimed ghazal singer Waqar Khan, from Mumbai, and his team took the centre stage and created an ambient backdrop for a perfect evening with his nuanced rendition of popular ghazals, such as “Dil Hi Dukhane Ke Liye…” “Hazaar Khwahishein” ,“Jab Tum Sajda…” “Chupke Chupke Raat Din…”, “Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo…”, “Baat Niklegi To Door Tak Jayegi…” and so on. The maestro kept the audience mesmerised for hours with his craft and creativity, a sublime blend of words and wisdom, music and muse. The packed auditorium was transformed into a haven of lyrical elegance, where timeless compositions came alive with soulful notes, one after the other, rendered by him. The spellbound audience was seen swaying to the timeless melodic strains.
Up next ghazal icon of the evening was well-known Jaipur-based ghazal singer and composer Dr. Sunil Rahi, who added a distinct colour to the musical evening with his immaculate renderings, reflecting his poetic perfundity. A winner of the ‘Khazana Ghazal Talent Hunt-2023, Rahi began his soulful rendition with Dr. Tahir Faraz’s iconic composition “Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar Hota….” This was followed by Nida Fazli’s popular composition “Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya…” and “Har Taraf Har Jagah Beshumar Aadmi…” mirroring the typical Indian society and its outmoded mores, while “Apna Koi Mile To Gale Se Lagaiye…” filled the air with warmth, love and longing. His high octave rendition of the evening “Naghme Hain, Shikwe Hain…” made the day memorable. Dr Rahi went on to weave a spell with his mellifluous voice, presenting a perfect blend of sur, laya and jazbaat. From the soul-stirring renditions to the haunting melodies, each ghazal he rendered with heart-rending depth and impeccable diction earned him kudos. His nuanced adaaygi, classical finesse and vocal virtuosity struck an instant chord with one and all.
“Ghazal singing has been the warp-n-woof of the Indian musical legacy since time immemorial that refines not only our mind and soul but also connects us to the divine. A big hand to the artistes for turning the evening an immersive experience for the audience through their soulful renditions. Gratitude to the music-loving people of Chandigarh for turning up in great numbers to be a part of the one-day musical extravaganza” said Dr Ashwin M Dalvi, NZCC Director on the occasion.
