HYDERABAD: “Dukh sukh tha ek sabka, apna ho ya begaana, ek woh bhi tha zamaana, ek yeh bhi hai zamaana (sorrow and happiness is for all, be it your own or some else’s, that was that era and now this is this era ),” sang Pankaj Udhas, uniting the audience in the aura that is his voice. The audience, a mix of yesteryear geriatrics and the younger generation couldn’t agree more as they cheered their favourite singer.Pt Pankaj Udhas, the Ghazal singer, was in the city on June 25 after a four year spell, enthralling his audience in concert. Invited by the Parikala Seshavataram Memorial Trust, Pt Udhas weaved his magic for two hours. Accompanied by his harmonium ‘Geetanjali’, and an entourage of tabla, mandolin, violin, flute and keyboard players, the music he created was delectable. Each musician excelled yet complimented the maestro’s voice. The concert also featured upcoming Ghazal singer Runa Rizvi, daughter of Ghazal maestro Rajkumar Rizvi. Runa introduced Pt Udhas, describing his voice as the ‘golden velvet voice’ of today. She brought to light his ability to convey the essence of his ghazal to his audience throughout, a feat that gets harder as the ghazal progresses. Fans were rewarded with songs like Deewaro se Milke Rona Acha Lagta Hai, Ahista, Jiye to Jiye, Dukh Sukh, Chitti Ayi Hai, Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera among others. Runa took over after an hour, giving the audience a strong performance. Her dexterity was melodic as well as engaging. The event was also marked by the presence of Telugu Ghazal singer, ‘Ghazal’ Srinivas, who felicitated Pt Udhas. Pankaj-ji ended the show with requests from the audience which included Sabko Maloom Hai Mein Sharabi Nahin and Suna Hai.Pt Pankaj Udhas has had a successful career spanning over twenty years of performances and forty albums. His first and perhaps most popular album was Aahat, released in 1980. He was awarded the Padmashree in 2006. He was also felicitated by the Wembley Conference Centre, London in 2004 for twenty years of performance, one of the few artists to be given that prestige.The concert was organised by RightFolio in association with the Parikala Seshavataram Memorial trust with the New Indian Express as media partners. The proceeds from the concert have been donated to Pranava, an elementary school in the city.
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