Nasha - Pankaj Udhas

1986. I was now keen to expand my musical horizons and wanted to listen to these ghazals. My understanding of Urdu was marginal but I thought I'd go with the feel of it. So I asked my guru in all things ghazalish, Sanjay, who had great exposure to ghazals and Urdu poetry thanks to his father. Sanjay instantly suggested that I should begin with the beginners guide to ghazals, Pankaj Udhaas, who had simple lyrics and easily identifiable tunes. Sanjay even came along with me to select the tape at Sangeet Sagar.

I like what I heard. And listened to ghazals like 'La pila de saaquiya', 'Thodi thodi piya karo', 'Sabko maloom hai', 'Ek taraf uska ghar' and 'Sharaab cheez his aisi hai.' I felt like I was some great musical connoisseur listening to these simple songs and Sanjay fully indulged me. I was not drinking then but Sanjay was and he was very passionate about anything he does - singing or drinking. So I got carried away in this passion and the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv4ndC_ViR0 (sabko maloom hai)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA_kvGk266U (La pilade saquiya)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W0ZJkT-aec (Ek taraf uska ghar)

Life was uncomplicated then just as listening to Pankaj Udhaas was. I did not need external to translate (not too much), enjoyed the music and it generally put me in a good mood. Much later Sanjay took it upon himself to introduce Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hasan. I particularly liked Ghulam Ali.

Many lovely evenings spent with Sanjay listening to a lot of wonderful music. Definitely all memories of Pankaj Udhas will remind me of Sanjay and that album we bought.

Dedicated to Sanjay - the great ghazal decoder!