Meet the man reviving ghazal for a new generation

When Jazim Sharma’s soulful voice hits the opening notes of Shehar Tere, listeners are immediately transported to the heart of Punjab — vibrant, emotional and alive with stories of love, longing and everyday life.This contemporary Punjabi song from Gustaakh Ishq, blending classical ghazal sensibilities with modern rhythms, is the latest in Jazim’s career, earning widespread acclaim for its heartfelt lyrics and evocative delivery.Early laurelJazim has had a sort of a dream run. Born in Bathinda, he was put to musical practice at the tender age of five. “My father, Shri Nanak Neer, put me under the guidance of my guruji, late Shri Vijay Sachdeva, and gave him space within our home to run his music academy,” shares Jazim. His riyaaz went on uninterrupted be it five in the morning or one at night.His earliest memories are filled with the sound of ragas and riyaaz echoing through his home. When in 10th standard, he was training college boys and girls for youth festivals. “Everyone I taught came first and that got me more such assignments through the neighbouring cities and towns of Bathinda,” he recalls with pride.Artistic journeyJazim explored Punjab through his academic years — studying and performing across Patiala, Ludhiana, Sirhind, Jalandhar and Malerkotla. His consistency in youth festivals and his talent for ghazal and thumri set him apart. “I would be doing solo, group songs, giving music to Kathak performances to plays, those were amazing days,” he reminiscences.Bollywood debutLater, he pursued his Master’s in music from the University of Mumbai, a move that introduced him to the national music circuit. Jazim’s big break came when he participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, the singing reality show, where he emerged as a finalist — the first man from Bathinda to reach such a national platform, earning Shahzada-e-Ghazal title. His velvety ghazal voice soon caught the attention of Bollywood maestro Vishal Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj introduced him to the industry next with Dedh Ishqiya, where Jazim performed the song Kya Hoga alongside legendary artistes like Gulzar, Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit. “It was surreal — my first Bollywood song had my favourite poet Gulzar saab and the magical touch of Vishal Bhardwaj and to have my favourite actors enact it!”Ghazal revivalAfter his Bollywood debut, Jazim released Pyaar Bepanah, his first independent ghazal album, followed by Suno Tum — written by Nida Fazli, marking the poet’s last official album. These works, under his own label Jazim Productions, showcased ghazals that were “musically and poetically rich,” merging classical aesthetics with contemporary sensibilities.His later works include film songs Zarre Zarre Mein Noor Bhara Chonch Ladhiyaan, Grey Walaa Shade. He has also collaborated with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the film Jugni, singing qawwali, Zare Zare Mein Noor Bhara.He has also lent his voice to soundtracks for web series like Gullak and Kota Factory, proving his versatility across genres.Compositions and collaborationsDuring the pandemic, Jazim composed the anthem of hope Guzar Jayega, featuring over 50 artistes and 35 public personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, who narrated the piece. Created entirely during the lockdown, each singer recorded their part from home, and Jazim stitched the anthem together — balancing voices and emotion into a masterpiece. It became one of the largest collaborative musical efforts in India.While enjoying the kind of work that he loves to do, he isn’t too happy about the changing landscape of Indian music, “Earlier, music directors and lyricists worked from the soul of a story. Now, production houses have a bank of ready tracks assigning the music supervisors to fit them. I hope for the return of that emotional depth of the old times when the composer and the lyricist had the script and tailored music for films.”He is looking forward to couple of projects — there is a Telugu movie that features a ghazal singer as the protagonist. “It’s for the first time that there would be Urdu ghazals in a South Indian movie.” From Bathinda to Mumbai, from thumri to Bollywood, Jazim has carried the classical legacy into a modern, accessible space.

Meet the man reviving ghazal for a new generation

Bathinda boy Jazim Sharma, whose song Shehar Tere for the movie Gustaakh Ishq hits all the right chords, is enjoying a dream run

Mona

Meet the man reviving ghazal for a new generation

Bathinda boy Jazim Sharma, whose song Shehar Tere for the movie Gustaakh Ishq hits all the right chords, is enjoying a dream run

Mona

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