AUDIO SCAN
Writer’s song

Khushboo
Hamdard Productions

Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard is a man of many parts. He is an Editor, Rajya Sabha member, singer and more. Since he has been a colleague of long standing, I know that he has a gifted voice. But in those earlier days, he used to sing only at private parties, as most of us do. But of late, he has started cutting discs. Khushboo is the latest addition to that growing list.

Let it be re-emphasised that he is not a professional singer. So, do not expect a flawless performance from him. He has just that much of talent and professional training, which he occasionally puts to good use in singing ghazals. He picks up the best of lyricists. Here he has Ameer Kazalbash, Abdul Hameed Adam, Sahir Ludhianvi, Moeain Ahsan Jazbi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Firaq Gorakhpuri for company.

Their creations have been put to music by Jawala Prasad and sung by the Ajit Editor in his trademark style. Hamdard does not indulge in any verbal callisthenics. He sings within his range and all his ghazals give you the feeling that you are listening to a friend at a party.

That, in a way, is the strength of the album. There is warm intimacy about the whole project. You have the unmistakable belief that you can easily sing along.

My personal favourite, both music-wise and singing-wise, is Marne ki duayein kyun mangoon, jeene ki tamanna kaun kare by Moeain Ahsan Jazbi. One reason for this preference could be that this is not quite as oft-heard ghazal as some others featuring in the album are. More dispassionate listeners may find Kab tak dil ki khair manaen by Faiz more fulfilling.

Since the target audience happens to be in Punjab itself, the titles of the ghazals are given in Punjabi (along with English). The normal Hindi is conspicuous by its absence.

The album has been produced by Dr Barjinder Singh’s Hamdard Productions. The recording quality is excellent.

Hey Ya
(Universal)

The anxiety to cut discs is overpowering in some artistes. They do not even wait till the time they have enough songs at their command to fill a complete album. Take this cassette by Sarosh Sami. Out of the 10 numbers included in it, only two are by Sami.

Of these two, only the title song (written by Sameer) is worthwhile. The other, Sehra me… hardly leaves any impression. It is noteworthy only for the fact that it has been penned by long-forgotten Gulshan Bawra (remember his Mere desh ki dharti … from the film Upkaar?). Sami’s claim to fame is that while doing his postgraduation in marketing from Mumbai University, he gave several stage performances after learning the basics of vocal and instrumental music.

The rest of the cassette is packed with offerings from other artistes, like the Bombay theme by A R Rahman and Peace offering by Apache Indian.

Trilok Gurtu’s Remembrance and Witness to marriage impress because of their classical touch. Ismail Merchant’s Echoes and sound of rejection and Serenade of love are pleasing.

Then there are Obsession by Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Christian Seiffert and Sandor Frick and A swinging journey by Pravin Mani. If only we had a little more of Sarosh Sami! — ASC