While Wikipedia explains the word ‘Ghazal’
to be a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each
line sharing the same meter, ghazal lovers may best explain it by terming it to
be a collection of poetic lines that tug at the heart strings of the listeners.
Perhaps as a treat to the ghazal aficionados from the southern part of Goa and
to create new fans of this age-old art form, Ravindra Bhavan Margao is
organising a Ghazal Mahotsav for the first time ever. The three-day festival
that will be held from August 13 to August 15, 2015 will feature Ghazal
artistes such as Talat Aziz, Hariharan and Bhimrao Panchale who will enthrall
the audience at the festival.
The first day of the festival, August 13,
will see veteran Ghazal artiste Bhimrao Panchale perform post the inauguration
ceremony. Panchale, who was conferred with the title of ‘Ghazal Nawaz’ by poet
Suresh Bhat, possesses the unique specialty of singing both in Marathi and
Urdu. The second day of the musical festival will see the performance of Talat
Aziz whose latest solo album, ‘Tribute to my Master Mehdi Hassan’, received a
nomination in the Best Ghazal Album category at the prestigious GIMA – Global
Indian Music Awards. Aziz has also sung a few timeless classics for films like
‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Bazaar’. On the third day of the Ghazal Mahotsav, the stage
will be ruled by Hariharan whose collaboration with Leslie Lewis under the name
of Colonial Cousins has earned him a huge fan base in India and abroad. An
established ghazal singer who is also considered the pioneer of Indian fusion
music, Hariharan has more than thirty albums to his credit.
(Entry for the festival is free. Passes are
available at Ravindra Bhavan Margao, Fatorda. The performances will begin at 7
pm on all three days)
