In presence of prose

Trying to be a masaya of humanism, empathy and compassion, he feels he has developed tremendous sensitivity because of his music, over the years.
In presence of prose

And suddenly, he is reminded of a ghazal by one of his favourite poets, Parvin Shakir. Without thinking twice, ghazal singer Shakeel Ahmed, who will be performing at an event in Delhi, requests us to listen. “Kuch to hawa bhi sard thi, kuch tha tera khayal bhi, dil ko khushi ke sath sath hota raha malaal bhi,” he sings. Poignant of city winters, the biting cold, long nights, cozy evenings in shared warmth of impromptu celebrations, are some of the things the lines remind him of as he sits around a small fire-pit of his balcony. “I couldn’t resist sharing them with you feeling the cold envelope by being,” he says.

He never knows what he’s going to perform even minutes before the show. The selection depends entirely on his mood and the mizaj of the audience. “But in most of my shows, like the upcoming one, I enjoy singing at least a few ghazals by Ghalib and Daagh. Then there are my own compositions too,” says Ahmed.
A composition to look forward to, from his new album, comprising Farhat Shahzad’s ghazals, will be zara sa aap se bahar nikal ke dekho to, main zindagi hoon mere saath chalk e dekho to, in Raag Bhopali.

Trying to be a masaya of humanism, empathy and compassion, he feels he has developed tremendous sensitivity because of his music, over the years. That’s also the reason he has been able to emotionally connect with his audiences around the world.

“I have found that our music speaks across borders. Ghazals are appreciated in so many different cultures. In fact, there seems to be a greater understanding and revival in the way ghazal events are treated and the way its heard. People are more enthusiastic about it,” says Ahmed.

The evening will also see English prose and poetry by Dr Onaly Kapasi, a Harvard fellow and orthopedic surgeon. He will also launch his book Kashmir on Fire.
December 18, at Lecture Room-II, Basement, Annexe Building, India International Centre (IIC), 40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate. 6 pm onwards.

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