In the light of ghazal

Aalok Shrivastav

An evening of ghazals that neatly weaved the social and cultural concerns into a melodious experience

“Ye sochna ghalat hai ke tum par nazar nahin, Masroof hum bahut hain, magar bekhabar nahin. Ab to khud apne khoon ne hum se yeh keh diya, main aapka rahoonga, magar umr bhar nahin!” On a candle-lit India Habitat Centre stage, noted poet Aalok Shrivastav’s popular ghazal was amplified to captivating quality by Shakeel Ahmed’s deeply melodious voice the other day. The event, organised by Sakshi NGO, managed to engage every mind and heart into a soulful union.

Brought up in a liberal household, Aalok shared how he was pushed by his family to read all kinds of literature and religious books. Intricately sewing philosophical thinking into ghazals, he manages to be abstract yet accessible to the layman. With his words of wisdom and rhythm, he transports the audience into his personal space.

While Aalok’s shaayari stimulated the mind, its musical version by Shakeel struck emotional chords. Many among the audience also requested for a “muqarrar” or encore as the ghazals melted many a heart. Later Aalok said, “Today’s programme is an ode to the ghazal. The current generation should develop an interest in ghazals. Ghazals teach love and in this world full of violence, we all need love in our hearts.” As the programme drew to a close, Shakeel’s voice had the audience wishing for more when he sang, “Woh daur dikha jismein insaan ki khushboo ho, insaan ki saanso mein, imaan ki khushboo ho.”