Ghulam Ali ~ The Ghazal Maestro

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Bob Chowdhury

@Qwest

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#21

This is my tribute to the ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali with love. The man behind timeless classic ghazals like "Chupke chupke..", "Hungama hai kyon barpa...", "Kal chaudhavi ki raat thi..", "Dil me ek laher si", "Dukh ki laher ne..", "Karoo na yaad magar..", and so many other unforgettable ones. There is not much information available about him on the net, hence I decided to make a micro-site of my own dedicated to him. Needless to say, I am an ardent fan of his. I simply love his baritone yet mellifluous voice, his way of rendering ghazals, and his mesmerizing elan. There are many well known, respected ghazal singers, but his style is unique and inimitable. His in-depth knowledge of classical music shows in his singing making his music richer, and those who could enjoy the beauty of ghazals and thumari will find him captivating. Unlike many others, his singing style is not song-alike, it's not simple, it is as graceful as the this legend is. His singing grows on you, the more you listen to him, the more you will like him.

Ghulam Ali originates from Pakistan, and has sung over the years in various countries in many live concerts. Many international music labels have produced his albums in various forms. He has learnt his singing from Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and also from Ustad Barkat Ali Khan. Over the years he has sung many ghazals, nazm, thumaris with equal elegance. He has sung beautiful creations of many shaayars (poet/lyricist) from India and Pakistan from older and younger generation. He has sung creations of past legends like Mirza Ghalib, Aamir Khusro, current shaayars such as Ahmed Faraz, Qateel Shifai, Farhat Shahzad and many many more, and now he has also sung ghazals of famous Indian poet Gulzar in his new album Visaal. He has also produced an album Miraz-E-Ghazal with famous Indian singer Asha Bhosale. His voice only sounds better as he grows older. Alas, there are not many new shaayars writing good poetry for him to sing.

Edited by Qwest - 19 years ago

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vinnie

@vinnie-thepooh

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#22

Lyric Name: Kal Chudhavin Ke Raat

Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Kuch ne kaha yeh chaand hai
Kuch ne kaha chehra tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Hum bhi vahin maujood the
Humse bhi sab poochha kiye
Hum bhi vahin maujood the
Humse bhi sab poochha kiye
Hum has diye, hum chup rahe
Manzoor tha parda tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Is shaher mein kisse mile
Humse to chhooti mehfilein
Is shaher mein kisse mile
Humse to chhooti mehfilein
Har shaks tera naam le
Har shaks deewana tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Koonche ko tere chhodkar
Jogi hi ban jaaye magar
Koonche ko tere chhodkar
Jogi hi ban jaaye magar
Jungle tere, parbat tere
Basti teri, sahera tere
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Bedard sunni ho to chal
Kehta hai kya achchhi ghazal
Bedard sunni ho to chal
Kehta hai kya achchhi ghazal
Aashiq tera, ruswaan tera
Shaayar tera, inshaa tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Shab bhar raha charcha tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi
Kuch ne kaha yeh chaand hai
Kuch ne kaha chehra tera
Kal chaudvin ki raat thi

Edited by vinnie-thepooh - 19 years ago

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vinnie

@vinnie-thepooh

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#23

bheed mein ek ajanabi ka saamana achchha laga
sabase chhupakar wo kisi ka dekhana achchha laga

suramaai aankhon ke neeche phool se khilane lage
kahate kahate kuch kisi ka sochana achchha laga

dil mein kitane ahad baandhe the bhulaane ke liye
wo mila to sab iraade todana achchha laga

dushman-e-jaan hai par 'amajad' main bura kaise kahu
jab bhi aaya saamane wo bewafa achchha laga

Edited by vinnie-thepooh - 19 years ago

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vinnie

@vinnie-thepooh

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#24

Hindi Lyrics:

ye dil ye pagal dil mera kyon bujh gaya aawargi
is dasht mein ik shahar tha vo kya hua aawargi

kal shab mujhe be-shakl si aawaaz ne chaunka diya
main ne kaha tu kaun hai usne kahaa aawargi

ik ajnabi jhonke ne jab pucha mere gam ka sabab
sahara ki bheegi ret par main ne likha aawargi

Edited by vinnie-thepooh - 19 years ago

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vinnie

@vinnie-thepooh

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#25

One of my Favorite Ghazals:

Hindi Lyrics:
huuun huuuum aaaa aaa

(chamakte chand ko
chamakte chand ko tuta hua tara bana dala
meri aawargi ne mujhko aawara bana dala
chamakte)

huuun huuuum aaaa aaa

bada dilkash bada rangeen hai yeh shehar kehte hain
yahan par hain hazaron ghar gharon mein log rehte hain
mujhe is shehar ne galiyon ka banjara bana dala
chamakte chand...

main is duniya ko aksar dekh kar hairaan hota hun
na mujhse ban saka chhota saghar,din raat rota hun
khudaya tune kaise ye jahan sara bana dala
chamakte chand...

mere malik, mera dil kyun tadapta hai, sulagta hai
teri marzi , teri marzi pe kiska zor chalta hai
kisi ko gul, kisi ko tune angara bana dala
chamakte chand...

yehi aagaz tha mera, yehi anjam hona tha
mujhe barbaad hona tha, mujhe nakaam hona tha
mujhe taqdeer ne taqdeer ka mara bana dala
chamakte chand...

Edited by vinnie-thepooh - 19 years ago

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Bob Chowdhury

@Qwest

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#26

GHULAM ALI
(cntd)

by

Sanjeeb Mukherjee

Gulzar & Ghulam Ali - music without boundaries

Tell us something about your latest album Visaal and why did you choose the poetry of Gulzar?

GA. Visaal, means coming together. We chose this name because it signifies not only the coming together of two personalities, but is the union of two minds, two souls, two cultures and more importantly of two great nations.

We had conceptualized this album for quite sometime, but due to our respective prior engagements we could not give it a final shape. Now with the grace of the Almighty it has finally materialized.

What is the underlying mood in the album?

GA. We have focused on the ghazal form of singing and selected those shers (couplets) that suit the ghazal style of singing. As far as the underlying mood is concerned it is a combination of all human emotions like joy, sorrow and romance. All the music that I've composed for this album has a classical base.

Back in the eighties you had some big hits in Hindi films. Haven't any Indian producers approached you for giving music in Hindi films?

GA: Insha Allah, I have been approached and I am considering a few proposals. It is God's grace that I compose my own music. I've hundreds of books, I select a ghazal then I sit down for the composition. At times it takes two days, at times eight days and at times even fifteen days, but I don't compromise on that.

Would you like to sing along with any Indian singer?

GA: I want to provided someone accepts the offer. I like most Indian singers and I hope they like me.

Do you have any favourites among Indian singers?

GA: Maasha Allah, whom shall I name, all of them are so good. I can say without any doubt that there is no match to Lataji, Ashaji and Jagjit Singhji. Hariharan is also singing well. Anoop Jalota has his own style. Indian singers are dear to me.

You have been performing in India since 1980. Has it been a pleasant experience?

GA: As I said, in India I've had some of the most appreciative audiences. I keep coming to India because of the affection I get from the people here.

You are now promoting your son Nazar Abbas Ali. Can you tell us a bit about him?

GA: Insha Allah, let us pray the love and affection I've got from you will be showered on him as well. But so far he is still under my tutelage. Let him mature as a singer then we'll plan things out.

Does he sing on stage?

GA: Yes. he sometimes accompanies me. He has sung in America, England and Canada. In fact he had also come to India some time back as well. I pray to God he does well for himself.

Do you have other disciples apart from your son?

GA: There are lot many and in different countries. Some of them are in India too. Here I've Naeem Ali, Javed Ali. I think many of my disciples have a lot of promise in them. Mohan Jutle in America and Ameen Mukhtar in Canada are doing very well and are getting recognition.

You've been the disciple of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb. Did your father name you after him?

GA: What can a humble singer like me say about Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb. I had been, I have been and I will be his disciple. I am proud I have been named after him. Whosoever keeps a bit of his remembrance will always remain alive to melody. Whatever little remembrance of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb I have, I revere that.

Any message for you fans?

GA: Yes. I love you all and always want your love and affection.

Edited by Qwest - 19 years ago

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Bob Chowdhury

@Qwest

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#27

NEWS FLASH 2000- LAST UPDATED : Saturday, August 19, 2000 07:26 AM

Kathmandu, August 17: Gulham Ali the Pakistani singer-musician of international repute is to perform in the Nepali capital on August 31 and September 3, organisers said.

The 59-year-old Ali had performed live in Kathmandu about 20 years ago when he had sung two well known Nepali numbers Keena Keen Timro Tasbir, Malai Meetho Laagcha, and Gajalukee Thula Thula Ankha, Teera Bani Pase yo Deelai Ma.

The first concert is to be held at Hotel Radission (August 31) and a larger public performance is to be organised at the Royal Nepal Academy (September 3). Both the shows will feature Ali singing Gazals, old Nepali hits and some newly recorded Nepali songs.

Apart from being his second live performance in Nepal, the concert will also mark the release of his debut Nepali album Sambandh, a production of Digital Symphonic Studios.

Ghulam Ali began singing Gazal in a big way in 1968 when he recorded his debut album 'Bahar-e-gazal', which was an instant hit. (Nepalnews.com NeTi)

Edited by Qwest - 19 years ago

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Bob Chowdhury

@Qwest

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#28

Ghulam Ali mesmerises his 'ustadon ka shahar'
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Qawwal Ahmad Khan Warsi performs with his troupe at the NIS grounds in Patiala . — Photo by Rajesh Sachar. Patiala, February 21
Ghulam Ali remains humble to the hilt, yet he takes no credit for what he is. So at the Heritage Festival here last evening he attributed his success to his ustads from the Patiala Gharana. The first submission he made after occupying the dais against the backdrop of the Old Moti Bagh Palace was, "Yeh sheher mere ustadon ka hai. Yahaan aakar to main khadimaan-e-khadim (servant of servants) hota hoon." Amid thunderous applause the maestro doled out his fare, striking melodies that have made a legend out of him. He commenced the concert with a pure classical offering in a thumri, "Gori tore nain kajre bin kaare...." in raga Peelu. What followed was a virtual affair in rhythm that brought out the best in poetry. The first ghazal, although rendered earlier by Jagjit Singh in "Mirza Ghalib", sounded unfamiliar when heard in Ghulam Ali's rich voice, that conveys a range of emotions with an admirable ease. In his patent style he sang "rubais" before every ghazal that lasted well over three hours. "Har ek baat pe kehte ho tum ke tu kya hai....", the legendary ghazal of Mirza Ghalib, led Ghulam Ali's pack of presentations that then drew on the lyrics of Ahmad Faraz, Nasir Qazmi, Adeem Nazmi and Waris Shah, among others. Modulating his sound to suit the mood of the gathering, the vocalist went on to weave a web of loveliness, that grew in beauty as the night descended. After the ghazal of Ahmad Faraz, "karoon na yaad magar kis tarah bhulaun use, ghazal bahana karoon aur gungunaun use...", Ghulam Ali settled for the most famous of his pieces, "Chupke chupke raat din". Adding a new dimension to this presentation the singer rendered three new couplets of the ghazal, winding it up with a beautiful verse, "Waqt-e-rukhsat alvida ka lafz kehne ke liye, woh tere sukhe labon ka thartharana yaad hai..." Later during the presentation came selective pieces from Ghulam Ali's Punjabi collection. Apart from "Heer", which is said to have been best rendered by him, Ghulam Ali also presented a new Punjabi ghazal, "Pehli vaari akhiyaan ne aaj aina takyaa...aho jeya takya ke haye maar suteya..." Going back to Urdu, he presented yet another beautiful ghazal, "Hum tere sheher mein aaye hain musafir ke tarah, sirf ek baar mulaqat ka mauqa de de...", which was followed by the famous Adeem Nazmi ghazal, "Faasle aise bhi honge yeh kabhi socha na tha...saamne baitha tha mere aur woh mera na tha...".

And though the listeners were left asking for more, he bade them farewell by taking the evening to its zenith with Waris Shah's "Heer".

Edited by Qwest - 19 years ago

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Bob Chowdhury

@Qwest

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#29

A smile and a pose

Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali promises to return to Chennai next year, "Insha Allah"

PHOTO: SHAJU JOHN

GHAZALS, HIS FIRST LOVE Ghulam Ali "He cannot talk to you now. He has been advised by his doctor not to talk before the concert," was the categorical reply after an interview had been scheduled with the ghazal great, Ghulam Ali. "All we can allow is a photo shoot." So we headed for his room at the Taj Coromandel. "The skies open up whenever I am here. It happened last year too," Ghulam Ali said with a warm smile as soon as he saw us. And as the photographer clicked away, we managed a few bytes from the maestro, even as his hawk-eyed secretary tried his best to stop us from talking. The Pakistani singer was in the city for a charity concert, which came just a year after his previous one in September 2004. So, what has the saab been up to in the past one year? "Travelling a lot. Giving concerts in Delhi and Mumbai. And catching up with the news around the world." Like the recent earthquake in Pakistan, which left quite an impact on the ageing singer. "I was so perturbed by the images on television I fell ill for a while. But maybe this is Nature's way of building bridges between the two nations." Ask him about the reception he got during his earlier concert in Chennai, he said, "More than what I expected. It proved that Chennai is the cultural capital of the country." And to think the 2004 concert came after a gap of 19 years ("It was Hema Malini who brought me to Chennai the first time."). What about the current one? "It's in the hands of the Lord," was his philosophic reply. Commenting on the trend, "fusion is the order of the day", Ghulam Ali said, "Dekhiyae, I have always known this genre (the classical ghazal) of singing. It's my style and I shall stick to it. As for others trying out fusion music, it's their choice." (And all this was said in low tones with plenty of pauses in between to 'conserve' his voice.) Then he spoke fondly of his sons, "While the elder one is fully into ghazals now, the younger one has a studio and is a recordist." For the record, the classically trained singer from Pakistan had the fortune of being taught for a short while by the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (he's named after the singer). A stint with Radio Pakistan in Lahore helped in his build-up to becoming a full-fledged ghazal singer. The photo shoot over, on our way out we asked if he would be back in Chennai next year, and his characteristic reply was "Insha Allah."

SAVITHA GAUTAM

Edited by Qwest - 19 years ago