CARVAN - E - GAZAL

“Caravan-E-Ghazal” by Talat Aziz and Sonu Nigam

Live presentation followed by album release

It was an experience worth treasuring when the St. Andrews auditorium at Bandra reverberated with the soulful rendition in vibrant voice of the veteran gazal singer and music maestro Talat Aziz in the presence of Gazal aficionados, media and film celebrities.

Credit for this unique live performance before the release of Album goes to SA RE GA MA music company who for the first time not only roped in the reigning bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam to make his foray into Gazals in a jugalbandi piece in the album ”Carvan- E -Gazal”; but also thought of presenting both artistes on stage for a live performance of the album.

“Caravan-E-Ghazal” is an anthology of Ghazals, which weaves together a selection from master poets of the Urdu language. An insightful selection, it puts in perspective the evolution of this extremely popular form for our contemporary audiences / listeners. The compositions and music has embellished this unique album with a rare ability to relate with the uninitiated new enthusiasts of Ghazal. It also provides the connoisseurs of Urdu poetry with a modern musical interpretation of the great Master shayars like Momin,, Ghalib, Daagh, Jigar, Zafar, Firaq, Faiz, Faraz and Jan Nisar Akhtar. However, the icing on this “Gazal Cake” was added by Sonu Nigam who is in “Jugalbandi” on the famous Gazal of Faraz

“Qurbaton Mein Bhi”, as a befitting climax of the album

The gazals in the albums are “Asar Us Ko Zara Nahi Hota” (Momin), “Kisin Ne Usko Samjhaya to Hoga” (Zafar ), “Dil Se Teri Nigah” (Ghalib), “Khatir Se Ya Lihaaz Se” (Daag), “Jo Massaraton Mein Khalish Nahi”(Jigar), “Ras Mein Duba Huwa” (Firaq), “Hum Se Bhaga Na Karo”( Akhtar), Darbare watan Mein” (Faiz) and last jugalbandi “Qurbaton Mein Bhi” (Faraz)

Talat Aziz has specially composed these ghazals in a way that transports the listeners into a melodious world. Has also sung for the album in the same impressive verve and fashion. Speaking at the launch of his album Talat Aziz said “This album is a culmination of a lot of love and hard work.. I was greatly helped in this by Jeetu Shankar who has arranged the music. And the highlight is the ghazal Sonu Niigam has sung with me adding a new dimension.. I pray that everyone who listens to it likes it.”

Sonu Niigam, who has partnered with Talat Aziz for the last track in the album shared his experience while recording the album and said, “I always wanted to sing ghazals, and ever since I got to know Talatji, it has been my privilege to work with him as he is one of my icons and praised by my father who is present in audience today to listen to us”.

Atul Churamani, Vice President – Saregama India said “It’s an honour for us to be associated with this project. There is a dire need for music today to have good poetry and “Caravan-E-Ghazal” is the epitome of that”.

Film celebrities present in the audience were Sanjay and Zarin Khan, Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure, Alka Yagnik, Jagmohan Mundra, Prem Kishen and Sunil Mehta (Cinevistaas), yesteryear TV queen Kavita Chaudhary, Poonam Sinha, Neena Gupta singer Shaan and Satish Shah.

The live evening’s enjoyable narration of the intricacies and highlights of poets and their shairies was ably conducted by stage actor-director Salim Arif.