Ghazal Kyon ???

Ghulam Ali, Begam Akhtar, Jagjit Singh. Do they make all the money by milking the nation’s jilted lovers??? Well maybe and maybe not.

They are a great piece of art but have never been my piece of cake. I gave in wholehearted efforts to make them digestible but they always created bouts. The foremost question that arises is: “WHY DO CERTAIN PEOPLE LISTEN TO GHAZALS?”

To enhance their knowledge bank of “sher” so as to use them in gatherings and impress the gals around OR to tell the world that Hey! Am in love. I have known people who voraciously proclaim that they are ardent fan of Jagjit Singh but can never go beyond “Hoton Se Choon Lo Tum” when asked to “Arz” a few “Sher”. So why do they listen at all?? Prestige Issue?? Well Maybe. Ghazals bring a certain amount of aristocracy to the personality involved and these people cannot afford to let go of it.

I do respect people who are devout fan of ghazals though. A friend of mine can stutter umpteen “shers” on demand in one breath. That is called Fanaticism. I never peep into his collection coz most of it beyond my perception and understanding.

A noted film actress once stated that when heartbroken she listened to ghazals to vent out her emotions. I do not understand the underlying logic behind it. How can pain ease pain? It is better to watch Tom and Jerry or The Road Runner Show and laugh the woes out rather than sulking over it.

So the point Am trying to make is that there is no point in impressing the world around with stuff which is equally incomprehensible to you as it is to the people around. Ghazals are great and palatable by selected few. Are you in or out?