A protégé of ghazal maestros Mehdi Hassan and Jagjit Singh, Talat Abdul Aziz Khan, better known as Talat Aziz, regaled the audience recently at the Mutha Venkata Subba Rao Concert Hall. Fortunate to have two legends as his mentors, Talat Aziz with his robust yet pliant voice, has climbed the popularity ladder both in the ghazal and film music circles.
His concert was vivacious as he instantly struck a rapport with the audience.
Opening with ‘Kaise Sukoon Paoon' (Saeed Shaheedi) where the couplets ended with the refrain ‘Tujhe Dekh Ne Ke Baad', he chose to sing the popular ‘Umrao Jaan' number ‘Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazmein' (lyric by Shaharyar and music by Khayyam). The ghazal enjoyed great attention from the singer when he started making exploratory sojourns on the line ‘Yaad Teri Kabhi Dastak Kabhi Saragoshi Se'.
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Not only Talat Aziz, the musical freedom allowed his accompanying artists, especially the flautist, to showcase their originality and drew accolades from the audience.
‘Khubsoorat Hain Ankhen Teri' (Hasan Kazmi) from the album ‘Irshaad' was a fast and romantic number. Here, the violin played beautifully to add extra charm. The poignant words of ‘Aaina Mujhse Meri Paheli Si Surat Mange' (lyric Suraj Sanim and music by Rajesh Roshan from the film ‘Daddy') kept the crowd in rapt attention.
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‘Tumko Dekha To Ye Khayaal Aaya' (Javed Akhtar, from film ‘Saath Saath') of Jagjit Singh came next as a tribute to Talat's icon. Aziz encouraged the audience to sing along for the opening line, and the audience happily obliged.
How can one forget the intense Jagjit Singh ghazal ‘Yeh Daulat Bhi Le Lo' where the singer reminisces and longs for the wonderful days of his ‘bachpan' (childhood).
Aziz was supported by a competent and dynamic orchestra comprising Mohammed Rashid Khan on the keyboard, Jeetu Shankar on the tabla, Rashid Khan on the violin and Ninand Muladkar on the flute. Such ‘mehfils' invariably get extended with requests from the audience. And so, the concert continued.
On the flip side, punctuality and discipline still seems to be elusive qualities in the Indian milieu. The programme started after a 45-minute delay.