Gham E Aashiqi Se Kehdo (Live) Begum Akhtar Sahiba

In  1957,  when  this recording was captured on tape during a live concert, #Begum_Akhtar (1914-1974) would have been thirty-eight years old, highly acclaimed and sought after as the reigning queen of ghazal, and also considered a leading exponent of thumriand dadra. Performing for an adoring audience, as is evident from the abundantly audible appreciation, the great singer offers a rich repertoire of bol-banao thumri, dadra, hori, chaiti and several ghazals by master poets in the course of the evening. The recording of this mehfil which continued for more than three hours, is replete with many invaluable gems from Begum Akhtar’s repertoire, her girlish giggle, her waahfor her accompanying musicians, the smile in her voice as she receives fulsome praise, and of course, the rousing appreciation she receives from her fascinated listeners throughout the concert.

Although #BegumAkhtar was an outstanding exponent of the thumri dadra and ghazal forms, she is best remembered for her unique rendering of ghazals in a musical style that relied heavily on her training in Hindustani classical music from ustads including Abdul Wahid Khan of the Kirana gharana, and Ata Mohammad Khan of the Patiala gharana. Contemporary ghazal gayaki has no doubt distanced itself from classical music and leans more towards melodies based on chordal structures and movements. But in the past the rendering of Urdu poetry either relied on the tarannum style, or on raag-based melodies.

#Gham E Aashiqi Se Kehdo Raah E Aam Tak Na Pohanche, Mujhe Khud Hai Yeh Tohmat Mere Naam Tak Na Pohanche, is composed in a text book interpretation of raag Kedar replete with the characteristic meend from dhaivat and pancham to shuddha madhyam. Once again, the accompanying musicians skillfully steal opportunities between couplets to embellish both melody and rhythm, and are rewarded with appreciation from #BegumAkhtar herself as well as from members of the audience.

(This private concert hosted by businessman and patron Khatau Vallabhdas at his residence in Walkeshwar, Mumbai, in the year 1957.)

Information source- Decoding Begum Akhtar by Shubha Mudgal Jee.