A blend worth gazalling

IT'S A blend, perfect to the core, of enchanting lyrics, mellifluous singing and is laced with captivating composition and complementing visuals. What does one call such a fusion? `Beautiful' is what comes to mind and `Khubsoorat' is what Talat Aziz has called his recently released album.

The Hyderabad-born ghazal singer who charmed his way into the hearts of millions of fans in his inimitable style and beautiful rendition is back with more heart-tugging ghazals. Remember the ghazals, `Phir chidi raat...' from `Bazaar' and `Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm mein...' from `Umrao Jaan'?

For `Khubsoorat', the compositions by Sameer Phaterpekar are a medley from different countries and cultures. "But the central theme and the tune is Hindustani," Aziz reveals. And exploring the myriad facets of emotions is none other than Anand Bakshi. Listen to the first ghazal of the album, `Chehra subah banaras, zulfein awadh ki sham, kitnee haseen hai tu, tujhko mera salam...'

Aziz does not want to case `Khubsoorat' within the narrow confines of a definition. "I don't believe in all these classifications. I am not a subscriber of musical classifications such as pop, remix...and so on. I think there are only two types of music -- good and bad." Ask for a definition of good music and the bearded singer who spent his childhood at Himayatnagar and studied at Hyderabad Public School says: "Good music is the one which stands the test of time."

Hyderabad doesn't figure much in the musical itinerary of Aziz. Has he forgotten the city? He looks uncomfortable but then decides to speak out straight from the heart. "No it is the other way round. It is Hyderabad which has forgotten me. It doesn't invite me to perform here." Howzzat!

Hey folks, watch out for `Khubsoorat,' the album which features Salil Ankola and Gauri Pradhan.

By T. Lalith Singh

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