Listening to ghazals

Listening to the finest ghazals is like entering a garden, where each flower has a different fragrance and colour, but all share the same essence. The finest ghazals are those that prick the heart. They are the ones that have been sung by masters of the art — Mehdi Hasan, Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh, Ghulam Ali… It is impossible to resist the utter swoon of Farida Khanum’s glorious rendition of Fayaz Hashmi’s ‘Aaj jaane ki zid na karo’.

Ghazals can soothe the restless mind, make the quiet heart restless, inspire the seeker, guide the lover, and console the mourner. While listening you may find the words, riding on the music, shake awake dormant senses, and light up embers of feelings. Contemporary or old, the lyrics can make one smile or sigh.

Listening to the finest is like having a conversation with the divine, where each word is a blessing, each note a mystery. They are the ones that have been crafted by master ‘heartsmen’ like Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Parveen Shakir…

Ghazals are endless. They can transport you to a different plane where beauty, harmony, and love reign supreme. They can create a special bond between listener and singer and composer – in other words, between self and the other. They can make you feel alive.