I never listen to my own ghazals: Ghulam Ali

Ahead of his performance in Delhi on Friday, the ghazal maestro from Pakistan Ghulam Ali tells HT why he loves performing for Delhiites.

Legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali Khan, who completed 62 years of ghazal singing in 2015, is set to share his big, splendid flight in Delhi on Friday at a ghazal concert - Hoook's Ghazal Journey.

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The 74-year-old tells HT that he is very excited to perform in Delhi, as Delhiites hold a special place in his heart. "Dilli ki audience bahut samajhdaar hai. Jis calibre se hum ghazal gaate hai, utne hi pyaar se woh humein sunte hai ... tabhi toh main hamesha Dilliwalon ko pyaar se ghazal sunata hoon," says the singer, who is known for popular tracks such as Chupke Chupke Raat Din, Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi and Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa. He adds, "Hyderabad me mere Ustad-e-Mohtaram, (late) Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb, jo mere mann mein humesha rehte hai, unki dargah hai.
So India holds a very special place in my heart."

The maestro, whose ghazals have been featured in several Bollywood movies, further mentioned that he is absolutely humbled with the love and appreciation that he has got over the years. "Main apne Allah ka shukr ada karna chahoonga ki ghazal gaate gaate mujhe 62 years ho gaye ... Inshaallah! Mujhe bahut khushi ho rahi hai ki mere chahne waalon ke liye gaane ka mauka mil raha hai mujhe .... bohot achchha lag raha hai," he says.

Surprising the maestro rarely listens to his own ghazals. "I never listen to my own ghazals. If at all I have heard my own works, it has always been at someone else's place. I end up finding faults in my works. I might as well listen to other works rather than mine."