Renowned ghazal singer Talat Aziz comes from a distinguished family of art and music lovers. His mother Sajida Abid was a famous Urdu writer and poet. Talat Aziz took his initial training in music from Ustad Samaad Khan and Ustad Faiyaz Ahmad Khan who were eminent classical music singers. He also learnt his music lessons from music maestro Mehdi Hassan.
He is a trendsetter among ghazal singers for having produced the first ghazal musical video for “Tasavvur”. Talat was in Noida recently for a grand musical evening organised by Paras Buildtech. Talat laments about the ignorance of the media towards the art of ghazal singing.
Excerpts from an interview:
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Well, real music lovers and patrons of art are found even today in appreciable numbers. It's just that the media does not give the attention and recognition which classical music really deserves. Today, the media focuses more on reporting about the glamour world and lives of celebrities and the scandals they are involved in.
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I feel ghazals have a long way to go. Youngsters like to listen to ghazals as well. I have performed at musical concerts at esteemed institutions like IIT, Bombay Powai and Amity University, Noida and the response of the crowd was overwhelming. Such an acknowledgement is always good to see. People always admire good music.
Q. Music, especially ghazal, has always played an important role in promoting peace and harmony across borders. What do you have to say on this?
Music is a great healer. It transcends all borders and differences. Music has always been instrumental in bringing and binding people together.
Q. Your acting skills on the small-screen (in serials like “Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai”, “Sailaab”, “Manzil”, “Noorjehan”) were quite appreciated. Do you have plans to make a comeback?
No, I'm not interested in acting in serials anymore. I don't have time to devote twenty days in a month for acting. In the past when I was into acting, we had to work three days in a week. We had a relaxed time then. Today the scenario is very different.
Q. Any advice/message to the young generation?
Listen to good music and value it.