Singers bring alive Batalvi’s works

SD Sharma

Eminent singers paid tributes to the legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi at a function organised by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) in collaboration with Sargam Sangeet Society at the Kalagram open air theatre to commemorate the 43rd death anniversary of the poet.

The chief guest, NZCC director Dr Rajinder Singh Gill, lighted the traditional lamp and honoured ghazal maestro-duo of RD Kailey and Dr Komal Chugh, who took the centre stage to dole out their compositions of Shiv’s poetry.

Kailey commenced the tribute recital with versatile poet’s popular song ‘Eh mera geet kisey na gana..’ before Dr Komal Chugh doled out a romantic number ‘Ikk meri akhh kashni’ and went on to sing more songs like ‘Puneya da chann’ and ‘Kaun mere shehar aake mud gya’.

Kailey brought alive the pangs of separation, isolation and despair in ‘Birhada’, immortalised by Shiv, who is hailed as a poetic genius of astounding merit, and many more on requests of the audience.

Komal Chugh was at her best in an Urdu ghazal ‘Voh ishaq na ham se..’ while Kailey enraptured the audience with a ghazal, ‘Uljha hua sawaal hoon’, penned by BD Kalia Hamdam.

The highlight of the programme was a scintillating spell by acclaimed classical vocalist and ghazal maestro Dr Rajinder Singh Gill, who took the concert to spectacular heights with raga-based compositions. He paid his tribute to Shiv through the poet’s immortal creation ‘Shikra yaar’ in a unique style. On demand, he presented more ghazals like ‘Bechain bahut phirna..’, song ‘Pehli waar takya’ and ‘Voh kaun aa gyi dilruba..’. His adroit mastery over ghazal rendition was applauded as he embellished the renditions with sargams, alaaps and lyakari, which won him a standing ovation.

An array of musicians, including Vevel Sharma (flute), Debashish Dhar (tabla), Rajesh (sarangi) and Vijay Kumar (keyboard) accompanied the singers.

KS Chhatwal compered the programme.