USTAD FAIYAZ KHAN'S HAUNTING GHAZALS AND THUMRIS REMINISCE MEMORIES

Sri Ramu Kanagal abode “Ace Director Sri Puttanna Kanagal Grihasthoma" - just behind Devagiri Temple, 2^nd Stage, Bangalore 2015 witnessed a rare in-house Ghazal-Thumri BHAITAK on last Saturday, the 12 December 2015. Talented Tabla Nawaz Trilochan Kampli and his few like-minded friends organized such an event on a short notice.

Popular Sarangi Exponent & Karnataka Pride, also a well-known singer-composer Ustad Faiyaz Khan enthralled connoisseurs by passionate Ghazals and Thumris in his inimitable style. Commendably accompanied him at their best on Harmonium were well-known Composer/singer Ravi Murur and an electrifying Trilochan on Tabla. Ghazal gayaki shall sound more enriched if these accompaniments sync so well as showcased in Bhaitak.

Evening mehfil commenced with an evergreen Ghazal of Late Legendary Mehdi Hassan “Ranjish hi sahi”, Ustad Faiyaz Khan explained nuances of Ghazal and Thumri Gayaki, followed them up by famed Urdu poetry of Ahmed Faraz, Momin and many more with great ease.

Without a doubt, Ustad Faiyaz Khan won the hearts with remarkable Talaffus and clarity of elucidation in his inimitable style. I personally opine, he stands among the very few topnotch Ghazal presenters of the country as he’s known to be so adroit to classical singing and Saarangi Vaadan of which he happens to be a key exponent, needless to mention here. Imaginative raag- alaap elaborations  add vehemence and flavor to subtle gayaki.

Those familiar to Hindustani music could feel the intrinsic foretaste of most popular raags like, Yaman, Keervani, Bhageshri, Charukkeshi, Bahar, Bhimpalas, Des, Mishra Bhairavi, Revathi and so on in a Ghazal concert. Whether it is famed Thumri composition ‘Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Karar Tha’, the more effervescent popular Ghulam Ali Ghazal ‘Chupke Chupke Raat Din’ or 'Mastana Piye ja Yuhi' Faiyaz Khan bore a stamp of his class in each rendition. Be it “Shola Tha Jal Bhuja Hun” or the final rendition a robust famed  “Chadtha Sooraj…Dhal Jayega” that spiraled spiritedly.

Hallmark of true musician lies in the fact that vocals presented perfectly set the audience moods to euphoric heights on it’s own. All that he offered this evening were globally very much popularized by Great Legendary performers of sub-continent.  Yet, Ustad Faiyaz Khan never ever left a semblance of doubt at all in his classy performance that could only reminisce good old chronicle!

Ghazal Gayaki can either be too insightful, lithe, romantic or intense, relative to clairvoyance from the heart, melody, ethos and pathos, being the major attributes for majority renditions. Else, the identical Ghazal renditions would end up like a simple Geet in filmi style. This is where Faiyaz Khan scores by impeccable timing and succinct sargams, bringing about perfect tehrav in semi-classical-classical approach for which he’s known for. His peers have instilled in him all  qualities needed for an perceptive vocalist that he’s today..! 

Years of dedicated Sarangi play and resonant voice restore an exemplary range, support perceptive singing, sets him and the rest apart. Innovative and slender Raag-Alaap in Ghazal-Thumri Gayaki brings to fore all redolent expressions together in a nutshell wherein Faiyaz Khan truly lugs an indelible impression.

Rather notwithstanding, one of the most underutilized vocalists in Ghazal genre, owing to lack of opportunities created or despise about a rich Legacy in this region, Ustad Faiyaz Khan stands among an all time Ghazal greats of our country positively, while he spins magic by soulful Gayaki ang.

Perceptive audience witness such a lovely and an almost perfect chord between Harmonium & Tabla accompanists though, he hardly renders to the gallery. Percussionists and Harmonium players bring sheen to the whole exercise. Unless a singer connects to those discerning ears, he can’t enjoy singing to such an extent so as to explicate difficult Urdu enunciation.

Many Ghazal maestros perform Ghazal concerts often in Bangalore whereas our own talents like Ustad Faiyaz Khan have in them abundantly to offer in rank and modus operandi. May many more such concerts follow suit in ensuing days is my zealous wish.