I started listening to gazals 10 years back when I moved to Bangalore to do my engineering. My roomie used to listen to gazals and I was forced to listen to it. Initially I did not like it but then I started understanding the lyrics and in a short period of time, I started liking to gazals. During same period I saw two live concerts by Jagjit Singh too and was amazed the way he performed. Because of this, I started appreciating the gazals more.
Pankaj Udhas is very famous mainly for the gazals that has something to do with ''sharaab''. Paimana is one of those albums which has best collection of old gazals written by various artists. Apart from Best Lyrics, the way he sings is mind blowing. Its totally different from other gazal singers and there is depth in his voice that brings more life into his gazals.
Few of my favorites from this album are
1) Ek taraf uska ghar, ek taraf mehkaada.
In this one, he compares the importance of his beloved and sharaab, and the writer says he is not able to make the choice which way to go, either to Mehkada ya to her house as both are equally important: BELOVED OR SARAAB. Very nice comparison.
2)Sabko maloom hai mein sharabi nahin, phir bhi koi pilaye to mein kya karoon.
Here the writer says he just cant insult the sharaab by saying NO, when sombody offers him shaarab. If people who drinks, knows this very well. One should not say NO when offered a drink otherise it a insult to it. Also, it is very well said that, even if I had promised somebody that I wont drink, but still I get drunk, but I am drunk due to her MOHOBAAT... Very nice composition...
3) Sharaab cheez hi aaise hai, jo chodi na jayee, ye mere yaar ke jaise hai ke chodi na jayee.
Nice way of comapring sharaab with good friend. He says he has seen all the people changing in this world, but sharaab is just like before, unchanged, loyal.
what more I can say,, and it would be an insult to the writer, singer and composer the way I describe them.
Please listen to them and try to understand what it means then only u will enjoy it.
Enjoy,,
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