Gulzar-Pankaj Udhas Ghazal Gem Nayaab Lamhe Released

Jyothi Venkatesh

On the occasion of the release of the album Nayaab Lamhe, at the Sofitel Hotel, Mumbai, Panja Udhas said, “The whole experience of the last one year, I can only sum up as a dream come true as far as I am concerned, in just one sentence. Call it coincidence or just destiny, in my childhood in the 50’s and 60’s, the radio was the only source of entertainment for me. Music of course was my passion even then. It was on radio that I had heard for the first time the song Mora Gora Ang Dhai De for the film Sujata written by Gulzarsaab and I started admiring the Gulzar- Lata Mangeshkar combination as lyricist and singer though frankly I did not have the ‘samajh’ at that point of time. Gradually I started listening to more of the songs of Gulzar”.

Pankaj continues. “It was way back in 1977 that I had the opportunity to meet Mehendi Hassansaab when Gulzarsaab’s film Mausam had just been released and I had just got out of college. The CD of the songs of the film was sought after I had always wanted to come up with an album of ghazals written by Gulzarji, I was lost in my own work but the idea of requesting Gulzaar Saab to write for an album for me was always there in the corner of my mind. The way Gulzarsaab writes is always very unique. I was keen on singing at least one song written by Gulzar, but did not get the opportunity till Salimbhai stepped in to function as a catalyst to help me to request Gulzaarsaab to collaborate with me for the album Nayaab Lamhe.”

Pankaj concludes. “From the very first time, Gulzarsaab made me feel very comfortable and at home during all our sessions. The album is very spontaneous as I wanted Gulzaarsaab to write what he thought freely without any briefing from me. In any case, who am I to give a stalwart like him a briefing and limit him? Gulzar Saab has a tremendous knowledge of music and every song that he has written till date right from the time he had writtenMora Gora Ang Dhai De is a gem. His poetry is always flowing and outstanding, especially in the album Nayaab Lamhe. Neeraj of Hungama promised to make this album by Velvet Voices a big one by taking it to 30 cities all over India as well as abroad. I can only say that I will cherish the experience of working with him all my life. It is one of my finest experience in the 40 years of my singing career and look forward to coming up with more such collaborations in the near future".

For more Bollywood updates, follow Bollyy!

Tags: Bollywood, Bollywood News, Bollywood Updates, Television, Telly News, Pankaj Udhas, Ghazal Gem, Nayaab Lamhe, Gulzar