New England audiences were treated to a rare feast on March 10, 2012 when local artists – singers, poets and dancers gathered to celebrate the life and work of Sahir Ludhainvi, a poet like no other who took the Bollywood world by storm penning the lyrics for many of the legendary hit numbers. The event was held at the Chinmaya Maruti Auditorium in Andover, MA. The event was a presentation by Sounds of India, one of the longest running Indian radio music shows in New England, run by Harish and Binita Dang.
The event was crafted in a very unique manner. By weaving the tale of Sahir's life and loves and reading his poems through the musical presentation, Harish Dang, Siraj Khan, Razia Mashkoor, Javed Zaidi and Kumkum Malik brought Sahir to life on stage. The audience was able to touch and feel the “Rooh†or the soul of the maestro.
The poet Shelley once said - “Our sweetest songs are those of our saddest thoughts". Sahir’s songs are a testament to this great truth. His poems were a reflection of his life. He suffered deeply and had intense love affairs and when these emotions poured out into finely crafted words, great poetry was revealed to the world.
Samples include:
Woh afsana jisse anjaam tak lana na ho mumkin
Usay ik khoobsurat morr de kar chhorna acchha
Tum dur ho to maut bhi aye na humko raas
Tum paas ho to jaan bhi de dein khushi se hum
Takht kia cheez hai aur lalo jawahir kia hai
Ishq wale to Khudai bhi luta dete hein
Jo mil gaya usi ko muqaddar samajh liya,
jo kho gaya mein usko bhulata chala gaya.
Siraj Khan, quite the encyclopedia on Bollywood music had done intense research and presented hitherto unknown details on the making of many songs and some intriguing details on the life of Sahir. The literary readings by Harish Dang, Siraj Khan, Razia Mashkoor, Javed Zaidi, Kausar Qidwai and Kumkum Malik were a real treat for poetry lovers.
Singers Meena, Mohan, Arsh Meherotra, Shua, Shekhar, Shankar, Nalini, Anusha, Salina and Salman did a tremendous job. A Waltz-Rhumbha combination presentation by Jharna and Ray for Aage bhi jaane na tu, a Punjabi folk presentation by Muneeza for Udi Jab Jab Zulfein tere, a lovely number by Naidus for Ham aapakii aa.Nkho.n me.n was a spectacular addition to the wonderful musical presentation. The highlight of the evening was the fabulous Qawwali – Nigahein Milaneko Je Chahatha Hai.
The evening was so special that one can safely say “Zindagi Bar Nahin Bulegi Who Rooh-e-Sahir ki Shyamâ€. Kudos to the artists, the director and producer Siraj Khan and Sounds of India for a great event! It was quite the labor of love and we look forward to many such events in the future.
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