The poetic expression of the beauty of love or the pain of loss/separation is powerfully encapsulated in the form of Ghazal. Although it deals with the whole spectrum of human expression, the central concern is love.
Traditionally invoking melancholy, love, longing, & metaphysical questions, ghazals are often sung by Iranian, Indian, and Pakistani musicians. The form has roots in seventh-century Arabia, and gained prominence in the 13th and 14th centuries thanks to Persian poets such as Rumi and Hafiz. In the eighteenth century, the ghazal was used by poets writing in Urdu, a mix of the medieval languages of Northern India, including Persian. Among these poets, Ghalib is the recognized master.
Ghazal is a happy blend of thought & feeling. Like any other worthwhile piece of literature, it needs close & careful reading if it is to be rightly evaluated & enjoyed.
Personalities such as Begum Akhtar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Iqbal Bano, Farida Khanum, Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Ghulam Ali & the likes popularized the ghazal during the 20th century. However, it was the poet Agha Shahid Ali who took it far, spreading Ghazal in the western world. He was also a devout follower of Begum Akhtar & considered her as a major influence.
A dive into an assortment of this allusive form may help us uncover its true amatory nature.
- Begum Akhtar:
The queen of Ghazal, Thumri/Dadra has sung many unforgettable pieces. Here is a Jugalbandi of sorts between Kaifi Azmi & Begum Akhtar.
- Iqbal Bano:
She was a prominent singer from Pakistan & was famous for the singing of ghazals of the great Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
- Farida Khanum:
This is the ghazal she is most associated with & it is written by a famous poet named Fayyaz Hashmi.
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan:
Known as the "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali" & a great Sufi singer has also been a major proponent of ghazal from South Asia.
- Jagjit Singh:
He is credited with the revival of ghazal & was also known as the ‘King of Ghazal’.
- Ghulam Ali:
Considered one of the best ghazal singers of his era; noted as unique, for his ability to blend Hindustani classical music with ghazals, unlike any other ghazal singer.
- Talat Mahmood:
He was particularly famous for singing soft & sombre ghazals in his quivering and silky voice. He helped a great deal in shaping the style & method of modern ghazal singing in India.
- Mehdi Hassan:
One of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of ghazal singing & is referred to as the "Shahenshah-e-Ghazal" (Emperor of Ghazal).