Five ghazal singers on one platform. What more can music lovers in the UAE ask for?
The Ghazal Symphony on December 16 at Zabeel Hall in Dubai promises to recreate the magic of the genre’s golden era with Ghulam Ali, Pankaj Udhas, Rekha Bhardwaj, Talat Aziz and Sanam Marvi sharing the stage. Around 30 musicians will accompany the singers, playing everything from the harmonium to the tabla and sarangi (a string instrument).
Dubai has hosted several ghazal singers from the sub-continent. Though the late ghazal king Jagjit Singh will be missed, he will be remembered in a tribute by Bhardwaj.
Ali, a singer who blends Hindustani classical music with ghazals, is scheduled to receive an award for his contribution to the musical form. He told Gulf News tabloid! he loves performing in Dubai as people here love him a lot. He hopes to “keep on singing for Dubai audiences [until] the time I [cannot] perform.”
High on his repertoire is his most popular song, Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, along with Awargi and Chupke Chupke apart from a few regular nazms (songs).
Ali is humility personified when asked who he thinks the best ghazal singer is.
“All ghazal singers are great... Mehndi Hassan saheb has been great. Jagjit bhai has been amazing, too. He has been a brother to me and sung much better than me. Everyone [has] their own genre and are good in that,” Ali said.
Echoing Ali’s sentiments, Udhas says: “Dubai is always very enticing... [it’s] very interesting to perform. So that’s the reason why I come to Dubai again and again.” He especially likes the “amazing mix of audiences”.
Udhas says it’s going to be an experimental concert, which is going to be “a real surprise” for Dubai.
His playlist includes the all-time hits Chandi Jaisa Rang and Chitti Aayi Hai.
Bollywood singer Bhardwaj, who is married to composer and director Vishal Bhardwaj, is no stranger to Dubai. She plans to pay a lyrical tribute to Singh with two of his ghazals from the movie Arth, her own Phir Le Aaya Dil and couple of other ghazals such as Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo by Mehdi Hassan Sahib.
She said she finds the Dubai audience very special because they understand and love good music.
Aziz, a singer from the south Indian city of Hyderabad, is another popular artist. Aziz was initially trained by classical singers Ustad Samad Khan and Ustad Fayaz Ahmad and has shared the stage with his idol, Mehdi Hassan.
Aziz has chosen some of his favourite ghazals from the film Umrao Jaan, Bazaar and Daddy, in addition to classic ghazals such as Kaisa Sukoon Paun to pay tribute to Hassan.
He says he finds the Dubai audience very discerning and enthusiastic about music. “I remember those times when I had quite a number of public concerts in Dubai and got a terrific response. I expect the same now,” Aziz said.
Pakistani singer Sanam Marvi, who debuted in 2009 on Virsa Heritage, a music programme on PTV, performs Sufi concerts around the world. She has planned to sing ghazals originally by Abida Parveen: Woh Humsafar Tha Magar, Yaar Ko Hum Ne Ja Baja Dekha and Dhoondo Gay Agar Mulkon Mulkon.
Marvi says she loves “to perform in Dubai in front of a mixed crowd from both sides of the border.”
Don’t miss it!
The Ghazal Symphony will be performed at Zabeel Hall 3, Dubai World Trade Centre on December 16. Tickets, starting at Dh125, are available on platinumlist.net. Call 058-8202815 or 058-8202817.
