‘Sur-Aangan’ Organizes ‘Sham-e-Ghazal’ to Mark Ghazal Emperor Pankaj Udhas’s 75th Birthday
Artists, Poets, and Music Lovers Pay Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer Through Songs and Ghazals,
-‘Sur-Aangan,’ a renowned local organization dedicated to literature and music, grandly organized a special tribute program titled ‘Sham-e-Ghazal’ on the occasion of the 75th birth anniversary of the legendary Ghazal singer, Pankaj Udhas. During this memorable evening, a large gathering of artists, poets, and musicians paid homage to the late singer through their exquisite performances.
**Commencement with the Lighting of the Lamp**
The program commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, performed jointly by Sur-Aangan’s Director—the renowned poet and musician Principal Dr. Rajesh Mohan—and other senior artists. Following this, the institute’s students—Simran, Navriti, and their companions—performed the ‘Sur-Aangan Dhuni’ (anthem) in a truly beautiful and captivating manner.
**Forging a Unique Identity Amidst Legends**
The event’s chief guest, the eminent lyricist Satyadev, shed detailed light on Pankaj Udhas’s unique vocal style and its subtle nuances. He remarked that even during an era dominated by ’emperors of melody’ such as Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, and Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas managed to carve a distinct and indelible niche for himself in the hearts of the common audience—particularly the youth—through his simple and straightforward singing style.
On this occasion, Dr. Rajesh Mohan discussed Pankaj Udhas’s life journey and his immense contributions to the world of music. He noted that the three brothers, who hailed from Gujarat, were all passionate music lovers, and that his elder brother, Manhar Udhas, had also achieved significant stature within the Bollywood music industry. Dr. Mohan made special mention of the enduring popularity of Pankaj Udhas’s evergreen Ghazals—such as ‘Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera,’ ‘Chitthi Aayi Hai,’ ‘Mohi Aayi Na Jag Se Laaj,’ ‘Aap Jinke Kareeb Hote Hain,’ and ‘Na Kajre Ki Dhar’—as well as the success of his various musical albums. Musical Performances Enchant the Audience:
As dusk fell, the musical soirée gathered momentum:
Namya Arora moved the audience deeply by singing Pankaj Udhas’s immensely popular song, ‘Jiyein To Jiyein Kaise.’
Madhav Arora garnered great applause for his rendition of ‘Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera.’
Harpreet Shayar captivated the gathering with his exquisite ghazal performance.
Rising ghazal vocalist Dushyant Kaviya, with his rendition of Ustad Ghulam Ali’s famous composition ‘Humko Kiske Gham Ne Maara,’ and senior artist Sarabjit, singing a ghazal by Mehdi Hassan, brought the program to a spectacular climax.
Throughout these performances, Sahil Tagoria and Harjit Singh provided superb musical accompaniment on the tabla, engaging in a magnificent duet.
A Grand Finale with Dr. Rajesh Mohan’s Ghazal:
In the concluding segment of the program, Harshvardhan presented the beautiful ghazal ‘Shayar Keh Kamaal Da Nagma Banalia,’ composed by Dr. Rajesh Mohan—a performance that left the audience swaying in delight.
Gracing this dignified evening were Raghu Arora, Shri Subhash Arora, Professor Gursewak Singh, and Kulwinder Kamil, alongside numerous students from ‘Sur-Aangan’ and other distinguished personalities of the city.
Report: Alexander D’Souza
News: 1-1
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