Malika e Ghazal - Begum Akhtar

Listening to Begum Akhtar's captivating singing of ghazals invoke loving memories of my late parents when I was first exposed to her music in the early 60'. She was Abajan's favorite and Amie, being from Rampur, loved to sing Shakil Baduni poetry in her style at small family gatherings when we were children.

It is our good fortune that Begum saheba was singing during a period when there were significant recordings made of her delightful mehfils and radio performances that are now available on CDs. Here is a collection of love poems from Badaun, Moradabad and Bhopal. Akhtar had at her disposal a treasure trove of good Urdu poetry from her contemporaries of the region. Born in district Faizabad, UP, she was better known as Akhtari Bai Faizabadi prior to her marriage. Her life was dedicated to music and she is still loved and admired by music lovers the world over. As far as Ghazal singing goes, she is still considered the gold standard to this day.



I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Khuda ke Vaaste - Sahir Bhopali

A rare and beautiful recording of Qawwal Iftekhar Ahmed Nizami's recital of

"Khuda ke Vaaste".

Khuda ke Vaaste ab berukhi se kaam na le
Tardap ke phir koi daman ko tere thaam na le

Bas ek sajda e shukrana pa e nazuk par
Ye maikada hai yahan par Khuda ka nam na le

Zamaane bhar mein hein charchey meri tabahi ke
Mein dar raha hun kahin koi tera naam na le

Pila de jiss ko tu ik baar mast nazron se
Tamaam umr vo hathon mein apne jaam na le*

Mitta do shoaq se mujh ko, magar kahin tum se
Zamaana meri tabahi ka imteqaam na le

Rakhun umeed-e-karam un se kya Sahir
Ke jo nazar se bhi zaalim mera salam na le

~ Sahir Bhopali (1913-1976) **

* not certain if this verse is from the original ghazal.

** Qawwal Iftekhar Ahmed Nizami states at the beginning that this is a kalam of Sahir Ludhiyanvi (1921-1980), however the jury is still out on weather it is his kalam or one of Sahir Bhopali.