Music Today proudly presented the album of the year – YAARA.  The raving new album marks a turning point in music as well-known ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas sings to the masterful compositions of legendary Sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for the first time ever. The album is a unique amalgam of Love songs or geet presented in a contemporary style.

 

The legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s compositions in this album are reflective of his genius as a composer. He has not played the sarod in the album, but composed the music for the album.

The music video of the album has been shot on the title song Yaara where the music is pregnant with the poetic significanace of the song. The video captures the mood of a longing lover seeking his beloved. Set in the mid 1950s the video brings alive the life of those times and the love that brings two souls together and the pain of separation.

 

The album is a grand celebration of the coming together of a maninstream, popular singer Pankaj Udhas, and the Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan for the first time. The poetry has been written by Sufi scholar Shri Madan Gopal Singh and musically arranged by Hitesh Sonik, the man behind the music of the award winning film ‘Omkara’.

 

 

The Album:

The name ‘Yaara’, meaning ‘the beloved’, which is also the name of the first track of the album, is a strikingly different piece that sets in the mood for the album. The beautiful interplay of the poetry with the rustic beats and percussion lends a romantic and yet melancholic appeal to the song.

The 2nd track in the album ‘Bolo Ji Bolo’ is a song that evokes the emotion of early love, where one can almost experience the lovers teasing each other, engaging in frivolous flirtation and garnering each others’ attention. Ustad Amjad Ali Khan brings out the musical brilliance in the song with his composing genius.

The next track is ‘Jagi Jagi Raaton Mein’ which is characterised by an interesting combination of the guitar and other soft instruments keeping with the feel of the poetry. The music is so touching that it establishes an immediate connection with the listener.

 

Other tracks include ‘Hole Hole’ which is a soft love ballad that describes the feeling of loneliness being away from a loved onewith superb instrumental interludes and ‘Chalte Chalte’ – a song that aptly captures the mood of romance. The music has an innovative and invigorating appeal.

The track ‘Woh Baat’ in the album is a soulful song set to a haunting tune. The artiste has exhibited his versatility in this song by lending a baritone voice that explores the mood of melancholiness.

The other noteworthy track of the album is ‘Chhaliya’ composed with a qawwali feel and folksy emotion. However, the artiste brings his own uique style by making it contemporary and brings out the Indian spirit and folk appeal.

‘Yaara’ as a whole, is a new sound in the realm of contemporary love songs. The album brings in music for every generation.  Listeners of this album, regardless of their musical background and tastes, should find something that they can relate to and enjoy because of the various influences and the greateness of the composer and the artiste.

The Artiste:

Pankaj Udhas has been associated with making ghazal as popular as it is today. He is said to be credited with the act of bringing ghazals back to the masses amidst the cacophony of pop music. He has charmed and is still charming listeners with his inimitable and characteristic style of singing.
Pankaj was born on May 17, 1951 in Jetpur near Rajkot in Gujarat to a family of Zamindars. With a strong determination to pursue a successful music career, he joined the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot and learnt the nuances of playing the tabla.
From his first ghazal album Aahat released in 1980, Pankaj Udhas has released around 40 albums with countless number of compilations. In all his albums he has always presented ghazals in a manner more appealing to the masses yet maintaining the essence of ghazals. Since singing ghazals by itself is a very limited area with very little scope for innovativeness, Pankaj Udhas has always tried to use the little scope to the best as he could. In the process he has given the world of music some amazing ghazals, which will remain in the hearts of music lovers for time immemorial.
Pankaj Udhas also made his foray into films gaining a lot of popularity with the ever popular Chitthi Aayee Hai from the film Naam bringing tears to every music lover's eyes. And his appearance on screen also made Pankaj a star in his own right. After the smashing number he was flooded with offers to do screen appearances.
Listeners all over the world have a special place for him in their hearts. He is still remembered for unforgettable tracks like ‘Chandi Jaisa Rang’ and ‘Chitthi Aayi’.

 

The Composer & Music Director

 

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and sarod are the two inseparable names. Amjad Ali Khan is one of the most renowned Sarod players and an immensely popular artiste of our country. He belongs to the sixth generation of the Senia Bangash Gharana of sarod. His artistic excellence in the Sarod playing has won him accolades from all over the world.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has given music for various ghazal albums in the past, the most popular being ‘Vaada’ with Gulzar and a ghazal series called ‘Guftagu’, where he presented sing-along music and melodies for the album.
In this album the legend has added yet another feather to his cap as a master composer.

Lyricist

Madan Gopal Singh is a Sufi scholar who has done path-breaking work in Urdu and Punjabi Sufi literature. He is also a poet and has done some commendable work in contemporary poetry.

Music Arranger

Hitesh Sonik, the music arranger of the album is the man behind the music of the award winning film ‘Omkara’ released recently. He has also been a part of the music created by Vishal Bhardwaj for the film ‘Maqbool’ and Music Today’s album ‘Ishqa Ishqa’ that was a runaway hit.

In this album Hitesh brings his capabilities as an arranger to the fore with his careful orchestration and musical ornamentation of the album, keeping the style of both the composer and the artiste intact.

Video Director

Shiraz Bhattacharya is the man behind the video ‘Yaara’. With several such illustrious album videos, shoots and short films to his credit, Shiraz brings his technical and aesthetic expertise on board with tasteful locale shots, story-lines, and film editing.