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There’s something special about Chennai: Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas, who was in the city recently, tells us about his love for Chennai and what keeps him going in the music field

Maestro Pankaj Udhas, who’s credited with having revived the ghazal as a popular poetic medium, says he has a special place in his heart for Chennai. “I have always looked forward to coming here. When I was in college around early 70s, I gave my first solo performance of sorts, in the city. I think it was at the Music Academy but I am not sure. The audience here is very appreciative. I enjoy performing here for the same reason,” he tells us and adds he visited Chennai last, around a year and a half ago. “Be it the steaming hot venn pongal, dosa-chutney or idli-sambar, I love it. Wherever I go, I look for local food but I don’t remember the names. Before I present any concert, the organisers offer me sumptuous food, but I have always been apprehensive to eat it because I can’t sing with a full stomach,” he smiles. Recalling his fond memories of presenting a jugalbandi concert in Chennai with musician Balamuralikrishna a while ago, Pankaj says, “South Indian audiences are highly knowledgeable when it comes to any performing art. They understand the aesthetics of music, and in fact, I see them observing the minutest of all details. You can’t fool around with them. Nothing gives us a high as performing before a receptive audience.” He has also travelled the world with his music — in 2006, was awarded the coveted Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award. Ghazal has intrigued Pankaj since his first album Aahat in 1980 was made, and since there’s no looking back for him. As the years passed, he seemed to have a chain effect on people — that they were greatly attracted to his ability to perform soul-stirring concerts and kept returning to listen to him. Pankaj says, “It is my duty to improve my listeners’ sense of music and appreciation, by reaching out to the audiences.” With an increasing diversions and the co-existence of many genres, it’s challenging for any artiste to maintain the standard of creative work, Pankaj adds.

Speaking about his favourite south Indian music director, Pankaj says he likes Ilaiyaraaja the most. “I have met him once and I cherish the meeting till today. Though my exposure to the Tamil music is limited, I would say the man is unadulterated genius. It was his magic that enthralled everybody growing up, listening to Tamil film music in the 60s and 70s. The way he composes songs show how creative he is and how his mind works,” he says. Future plans? “I am working on a ghazal album that has eight songs in it, which will be released in January,” he shares. We ask his opinion about the present day music trend, and he says that it is firmly under the sway of computerisation. “When you take Bollywood music as an example, predominantly, a couple of songs that’s there in the films are used as a promotional strategy. I think the placement of songs shouldn’t be forced like how it is now,” he concludes.

(This fundraising concert was organised by Madras Spice Round Table 159 and Ladies Circle 133)

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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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