Ghazals to be performed in Mumbai with a symphony orchestra

The artistes rehearse with the orchestra at Oscar Hall in Andheri. Pics/Satej Shinde

Till a few decades back, ghazal singers would be accompanied by musical instruments like the tabla, sarangi and harmonium. With time, the entry of western instruments like the violin, saxophone, guitar and keyboards into ghazal concerts paved the way for experimentation with the genre. This Saturday, a concert will aim to offer a unique experience to ghazal lovers in the city. Titled The Ghazal Symphony, it will see ace singers perform with a live symphony orchestra.

The first half of the show will feature singers Anurag Sharma and Anwesshaa, who will perform classics by Mehdi Hassan, Madan Mohan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali. Veteran ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will take stage for the second half. He is looking forward to performing with the 20-member symphony orchestra that will be arranged and conducted by violinist Deepak Pandit.

(From left) Anurag Sharma, Pankaj Udhas, Anwesshaa and Deepak Pandit

"The Ghazal Symphony is a brilliant concept. This will be the first time that Mumbai will witness such a concert. Ghazal was always perceived to go with sarangi and tabla. Later, the guitar and saxophone warmed upto it. But, people wouldn't have imagined ghazal with a symphony orchestra where instruments like acoustic guitars, flute, piano, keyboard, percussion and tabla will be in play.

Recently, we had an experimental concert in Hyderabad, where I had collaborated with Talat Aziz and many others," says Udhas, adding that he will present his popular ghazals. "I'm looking forward to this experience. The listeners will get to see a new dimension of ghazal."

Orchestra arranger and conductor Pandit says though the concept of the three-hour concert sounds interesting, it was difficult for him to execute the idea. "It's a challenge to create new music for already existing ghazals, as it has to sound different, pleasing and symphonic, yet meet the expected aesthetics. But the experience of creating and presenting such music is always satisfying to a musician," he says.