‘Begum Akhtar : From kotha to concert, an evocative journey!’

‘Yun to har sham umeedon mein guzar jaati thi;
Aaj kuch baat hai jo sham pe rona aaya!’
One hundred years after she was born, Mallik-e-ghazal Akhtari Bai Faizabadi aka Begum Akhtar lives on as one of the most powerful voices ever, with a wealth of heart-searing pathos. To commemorate the birth centenary of this legend who played a critical role in the subcontinent’s history of music, and who inspires generations, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Haryana, organized ‘Sham-e-ghazal,’ at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on October 13.

The evening that began with an audio-visual presentation on the life and journey of Begum Akhtar by photographer Avinash Pasricha, metamorphosed into a mesmerizing tribute to the great lady by contemporary ghazal singer, the gifted Radhika Chopra. To much applause from an appreciative Chandigarh crowd, Radhika began the evening with Behzaad Lucknawi’s ‘Deewana banana hai to deewana bana de…..’ , and winding her mellifluous way through the ever-popular Ae mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya, she completed her tribute with Ishq mein gairat-e-jazbaat ne rone na diya by Sudarshan Faakir.
But the audience wouldn’t let her go that easily, and Radhika graciously acceded to a special request for two ghazals that were not sung by Begum Akhtar, but are widely popular world-over nevertheless. She ended the evening with ‘Tum apna ranjho gam apni pareshani mujhe de do…’ and ‘Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo….’
Talking of her admiration for Begum Akhtar, Radhika says, “For me Begum Akhtar has always been a huge inspiration. The credit goes to her for bringing ghazal from " Kotha to Concert" -- we cannot thank her enough for bringing ghazal to the mainstream! It is because of her effort that singers like me are able to take up ghazal singing as a profession today.”
Radhika learnt music with Begum Akhtar’s disciple Shanti Hiranand, and remembers fondly the stories Shanti would relate about the legendary Begum Akhtar. Radhika stresses the importance of passing on the habit of music to the younger generation. “It is important to expose them to good music, she said at the concert. They may resist this, but it will help their growth nevertheless.”
“Music changes the whole concept of life; it makes you a great human being,” says Radhika. “For me singing holds meaning only when it comes not from the throat, but from the heart! Maybe that is why people are able to relate with my singing in a spiritual manner. Begum ke gaane mein ye hi baat thhi – apni soul se gaana gaati theen!”
Speaking on the occasion, Vijai Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary, Haryana, in charge of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said at Tagore Theatre, "Hosting a ghazal evening on the occasion of the birth centenary of Begum Akhtar is our tribute to a woman who transcended her social origins, and like all creative geniuses, left an indelible impression on her craft for all times to come by her grit, skill, compassion and humaneness."
And it was a very soulful evening indeed that Radhika and Avinash created along with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Haryana in Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh!
Hum to samjhe thhe ki barsaat mein barsegi sharaab
Aayi barsaat to barsaat ne dil tod diya!