Thread by @p1j

Today was the 1st death anniv of my Father, who we lost last year for #Corona. Although his presence is still so strong in our home tht we always find him sitting in the favorite corner of the house. He is responsible for our musical upbringing. Sharing a childhood musical memory

कभी महफ़िल में कभी गोशा-ए-तन्हाई में
कोई रह-रह के रुलाये तो ग़ज़ल होती है

Today also marks Birthday of Ghazal Singer Ghulam Ali & my father had organized 1of his earliest Indian concerts in January 1983 in Kota. The date was 16th Jan 1983 and I had just entered in the Teen club.

It was early 80s, For long Ghulam Ali saab was struggling to get an Indian VISA for concerts & film recordings though he had become a household name for his popularity thru record sales. He got it in 1983 & he agreed for the Kota schedule which was getting postponed for his VISA

Even for Nikaah in 1982, "Chupke Chupke raat din" the film resorted to his LP record version & even in the film they play it on LP Record only.

Ghulam Ali was scheduled to come by Car as Kota had no airport & the JK open air audi was Full, an hour before the concert was to start

GhulamAli sb was coming in an ambassador & was to arrive at 5pm for 7pm concert so I went with an uncle to the GuestHouse where GA was to stay. We waited for long time & later got the news that his car has broke down on the highway 3hrs away & will need some time for the fixing.

We went back to auditorium & found a local boy of 14yrs on the stage & he, Roshan Bharti managed the audience with his b'ful Ghazal renditions. At 10pm we got the news that GA wud directly arrive at the venue. He directly came at 11.30pm without getting some rest or even facewash

The audience were unmoved & the auditorium was still jam-packed. They were eagerly waiting for GA to perform.

#GhulamAli sb apologized for the delay which was not in his control.

He started the show with an amazing half an hour rendition of Thumri "Maine laakhon ke bol sahe"

After a Mind blowing opening, he continued with another 30mins+ rendition of his very popular 'Ye dil ye pagal dil mera/Aawargi', which he was scheduled to record for a Raj Khosla film in India with #Pancham followed by Main Nazar se pi raha hoon. Immediately after a long travel

He had the audience swinging to "Dil me ik lahar si uthi hai abhi" with many variations of Lahar. Two sardar uncles got on to stage and started dancing and had to be removed forcefully.

He was tired after a long travel yet He performed for next 5 hours upto 4.30 in the morning.

रूह जब वज्द में आये तो ग़ज़ल होती है
या कोई दिल को दुखाये तो ग़ज़ल होती है

#GhulamAli sang a few new unheard ghazals including this beautiful one.

That was a night to remember, One ofthe most unforgettable memory of my early years & for a big audience.

बज़्मे-तन्हाई में गुज़रे हुए लम्हों का ख़ुलूस
दिल में इक हश्र उठाये तो गज़ल होती है

and He is still living with us, within us.. and in the music we play

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