Remix to end in ?07: Udhas
HIS SONGS lift a sagging mood, they inject tranquil amid a stressful landscape. Pankaj Udhas is credited with popularising ghazal at a time when melody was being dwarfed by the cacophony of loud and meaningless music.
HIS SONGS lift a sagging mood, they inject tranquil amid a stressful landscape. Pankaj Udhas is credited with popularising ghazal at a time when melody was being dwarfed by the cacophony of loud and meaningless music.
The mellifluous distillations of Dil Ne Dhadakna Chhorh Diya, Ishq Nachaya Jisko Yaar, Parmana Toot Gaye and Thodi Thodi Piya Karo from his album Aafreen still haunt us even today. He made a foray in the film industry with Aahat in 1980 but it was Chitthi Aayee Hai from the movie Naam that linked him with Bollywood. He then sang for a few more movies like Saajan, Yeh Dillagi and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee.
Pankaj Udhas who was in Bhopal on Wednesday spoke to newspersons on the revival of ghazals, his new albums, his aloofness from films and more.
Conceding that remix culture and proclivity to ape the West had eclipsed soulful essence of Indian music he said, “More emphasis was being laid on beats rather than renditions. Melody had evaporated from the musical canvas.”
However, he is hopeful that this trend is heading towards a full stop. “The remix syndrome is coming to an end and in 2007 it will totally dissipate. This will put a stop to meaningless music. I am confident that ghazal will also resurface with musical robustness,” he said.
Acknowledging that ghazal had been shadowed by peppy music he said, “Recording audio companies that constitute the backbone of music industry have not encouraged this form of music. This has put an automatic brake on the growth of ghazal.” He has three new albums in the pipeline.
The recording of one, which is slated to be released in May-June 2007, is over but its name is yet to be decided. He adds, this album which he is singing with a noted classical singer will give a ‘nayapan’ to ‘shayari’. Recording for his second album will begin by March.
He feels reality shows were a very good platform for unknown musical talents, but added “they were weak and fractured”. He candidly says although he has two to three film offers, “I have not yet considered them. I don’t say that all the songs of the movie should be ghazals but they should all be laced with good shayari, melodious music and should be bereft of vulgarity.”
