“It's the gateway to my life, dreams, and musical journey. Every ghazal I rendered in its precincts opened a floodgate of memories,” says Pankaj Udhas referring to his latest DVD — ‘Moments with Pankaj Udhas', a live recording of his concert at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.
“As artistes we travel across the world and perform at state-of-the-art auditoriums but it was overwhelming to be singing at this historical monument that is a rock-solid witness to political upheavals, the languid pace of life in India's past and its rich cultural heritage. It also stands testimony to my struggle and success,” says the ghazal ace.
Through the DVD, Udhas and his many admirers can relive delightful moments as the 16 compositions featured mark the highpoints in his career. Beginning with “Dil dhadakneka sabab yaad aaya” and moving on to his concert staples such as “Chandi jaisa rang”, “Chitthi aayi hai, “Aahista kijiye baatein” and “Thodi piya karo”, it ends with the resounding “Ghungru toot gaye”. And Udhas traverses a spectrum of emotions and moods.
“This album is special to me in many ways. It sums up my journey — my arrival in Bombay, hard days of struggle, the first concert, gradual rise to prominence, connecting with listeners, exploring the form, my brush with Bollywood and becoming an integral part of the artiste community,” explains Udhas, popularly known as the ‘velvet-voiced' singer.
After the release of the DVD in Mumbai recently, he toured the U.S. for more than a month, performing to packed houses. “In the midst of all the talks about ghazal losing its allure and audience, there I was sitting in front of enthusiastic listeners whose ‘encore' demands made me perform much longer than the scheduled time.”
Udhas, who hails from Rajkot, feels that more than ever people today need gentle verses and tunes to calm their frenzied nerves. “How can we beat stress with sleazy numbers? It has to be with melodic songs by Rafi, Mukesh, Mehdi Hassan or Lata Mangeshkar. See the way they still dominate live orchestras and reality shows.”
In the late 1990s, he anchored ‘Aadab aarz hai', a ghazal -based programme on Sony TV. “It was a defining moment in my career. It was the best possible way to reach ghazal to a wider audience. I made the show as interesting as possible to ensure maximum viewership. And its popularity proved that melody will always reign supreme,” says Udhas, who is planning to revive the show by this year end.
“With so many channels, soaps and entertainment shows, I know it is not going to be easy. But I love challenges. And I want to tell people music is not a prop, it is a bond between cultures, a crucial link to the past and the rhythm of life,” sums up the singer.
