Ludhiana, April 13
Well-trained voice and excellent Urdu pronunciation sets Penaz Masani apart from other female ghazal singers. Penaz sang for the members of Rotary Midtown Club at their Baisakhi celebrations here last night.
Penaz told this reporter that she loved warmth and exuberance of the Punjabis. “Whenever I am invited, I come to Punjab with great joy. Punjabi bade dildar hote hai. I was born into a family of singers. My father was a disciple of Ustad Faiyaz Khanshab of the Agra gharana. He used to sing in the court of Sayaji Rao Gaekwad in the thirties. Music runs in my blood. As a child I was taught nuances of music by my father and later Ustad Amanat Hussain Khan. At present my teacher is Madhurani.”
She cut her first album while she was in school. The album was titled “Aap ki bazam mein” in 1981. Since then she has sung in 10 languages. Lakeeren is her 28th album. She has made trips to Latin America, Europe and many western countries. Earlier I used to cut one album every year, now I am able to bring out one album in two years. I did a show in Kuwait for our soldiers’ welfare who fought in the Kargil war. I raised Rs 1 crore and sent it to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. I have been conferred the title of ‘Shehzadi-e-Ghazal’ by the state of Uttar Pradesh.
She is likely to hold a show with Pankaj Udhas and Talat Azeez in Mumbai for Star TV. She can be seen in two serials “Garam-Garam” and “Machan” shortly.
Penaz has sung under music directors like Jaidev, R.D. Burman, Rajesh Roshan, Bhappi Lehri and Anu Malik for over 50 Hindi films. Her album ‘Tu dil de de’ stayed on top in the Channel V and MTV charts.
Soon, the wedding bells will ring for Penaz. She has found her life partner in a doctor.
