In this world, nobody can escape from constant stress and noises coming from the bustling city streets. Finding solace and peace can be a bit difficult but definitely not impossible. As they say, Music is the permanent solution for bringing out the hidden emotions.
So if you seeking solace at the end of the day nothing can give you more peace than timeless Ghazals. Ghazals have carved their own special and distinct place in the world of music and is well appreciated for meaningful Urdu verses and soul soothing music that has the power to calm every nerve in the body and help connect with the deepest feelings.
Here are top Ghazal singers and their timeless ghazals that has created an ever-lasting mark in the world and in our hearts –
Jagjit Singh
This name needs no introduction because the name itself carries such gravity in the world of Ghazals. Jagjit Singh is known as the ‘King of Ghazals’ and his ghazals have proven to be soulful and timeless. His voice has touched many hearts and songs have got us teary-eyed.
He gained popularity and critical acclaim as a duo with his wife Chitra Singh and also are the most successful husband-wife duo in the history of recorded music. They are considered to be the pioneers together and are considered as very successful recording artists.
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In 2003, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
His most memorable Ghazals are –
- Baat Niklegi Toh Bohot Durr Talak Jaayegi
- Hothon Se Chu Lo Tum
- Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
- Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayaal Hai
- Woh Kaghaz Ki Kashti
Mohammed Rafi
Known for his versatility and gifted voice, Mohammed Rafi needs no introduction. He is an Indian Playback singer and the greatest, most influential singer of the Indian sub-continent.
From soothing melodious tracks to peppy numbers, from Qawwalis, Ghazals, Bhajans to Classical singing, he has done it all. With one national award and six filmfare awards, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1967.
His voice could make you dance, cry, and each genre could put you in a whole different mood. His voice for Ghazals was the most soulful and soothing in which he moulded each lyric with the touch of his voice and harmonious music.
Few of his memorable Ghazals are –
- Ek Hi Baat Zaamane Ki Kitabon Main Nahi
- Hum Bekhudi Main Tumko Pukare
- Koi Sagar Dil Ko Behlata Nahi
- Rang Aur Noor Ki Barat
- Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aagaya
Pankaj Udhas
Hailing from Gujarat is our very own famous Ghazal singer – Pankaj Udhas. He is known for his soothing voice and the way he emotes through his words which can be deeply felt by the listeners. His voice has reached the masses and has been loved by all.
He has even launched ‘Khazana Artist Aloud Talent Hunt’ which is a medium to recognise and promote fresh voices in the field of Ghazal. He was awarded with Padma Shri by the Government of India.
His most memorable Ghazals are –
- Chitthi Aayi Hai
- Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera
- Aahista Kijiye Baatein
- Thodi Thodi Piya Karo
- Mein Nashe Main Hoon
Begum Akhtar
Akhtari Bai Faizabadi also known as ‘Begum Akhtar’ is known as one of the greatest singers of Ghazals, Dadra and Thumri genres of Hindustani Classical. She is known as ‘Mallika-e-Ghazal’ and with her beauty and sensitive voice she even made it to the field of acting along with singing as her main forte.
She sang all the songs of her films and acted for good amount of years. Her voice continued to be her strength and with time it grew rich with much depth and maturity that could be felt through her songs. She composed most of her Ghazals and was a regular performer at All India Radio.
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She received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for vocal music, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan posthumously by the Government of India.
Her most memorable Ghazals are –
- “Woh Asire-Daam-e-Bala”
- “Aah Ko Chahiye Ik Umr Asar Hone Tak”
- “Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati”
- “Kuchh to duniya ki inaayat ne dil tod diya”
- “Wo jo hum mein tum mein qaraar tha tumhein yad ho ki na yaad ho”
Taalat Mahmood
‘Shahenshahe-e-Ghazal’ Taalat Mahmood was an Indian playback singer who made a mark as the great male singer in the Indian non-classical and semi-classical genre.
He belonged to a conservative Muslim family from Lucknow but his passion and artistic approach in the field of Ghazal music made an ever-lasting impression. His unique singing style made him famous for singing soft non-classical ghazals which proved that he was gifted in every aspect.
Romance and Tragedy was his main genres which helped shape the modern Ghazal singing. His voice is described as the softest and most soulful voice in India.
His memorable Ghazals are –
- Aye Dil Mujhe Aisi Jaga Le Chal
- Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm mein lati hai humein
- Milte Hi Aankhen Dil Hua Deewana
- Meri Yaad Me Tum Na
- Aye Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal
Chitra Singh
Chitra Singh is an Indian playback singer and a prominent Ghazal singer who along with husband Jagjit Singh are considered to be the pioneers of Modern Ghazal Singing and also the first ever husband-wife duo who made it very successful in the history of Indian recorded music as a duet.
With no formal training in music, she learned music by listening to her mother’s guru. The strong roots of music in her family gave her much exposure to the music and she later went on to become a prominent singer.
Her most memorable songs are (Duet with Jagjit Singh) –
- Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayaal Aaya
- Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar
- Yeh Bata De Mujhe Zindagi
- Woh Kaghaz Ki Kashti
- Mere Dil Mein Tu Hi Tu Hai
Hariharan
Hariharan is one of the most prominent and greatest Indian singers of all times. Hailing from Trivandrum, he is a playback, Ghazal and bhajan singer with his main work featured in Tamil and Hindi languages. A well-established Ghazal singer, he is even known to be the pioneers of the Indian Fusion Music.
His association with Lesle Lewis made them form a two-member band and they together created many private albums and scored for music in few feature films for Tamil cinema and Bollywood.
A two time National Award winner, he was honoured with Padma Shri by the Government of India in the year 2004.
His popular Ghazals are –
- Ay Hairathe
- Kaash
- Pathar Sulag Rahe The
- Ruth Haseen Hai
- Ajeeb Saaneha Mujh Par
Anup Jalota
Anup Jalota also known as ‘Bhajan Samrat’ is an Indian musician and singer known for Hindu devotional music ‘bhajan’, and the Urdu poetry form ‘Ghazal’. He hails from the Shyam Chowrasi Gharana of Punjab and over the years has come under the limelight as the exponent of Bhajan.
He started as a part of the chorus at All India Radio. He himself acts in the devotional music videos and is usually backed by a Santoor, Dholak, Sarod, Sarangi, Sitar, and Tabla player, along with a Violinist and a Guitarist.
He has been honoured with Padma Shri in 2012 by the Government of India in the field of Art-Indian Classical Music – Vocal.
His popular Ghazals are –
- Buniyaad
- Pathar Bana Diya Mujhe
- Badnam Tere Pyaar Ke
- Dil Lagana Dil Jalana
- Kya Kaam Surahi Se
Bhupinder Singh
Bhupinder Singh hails from Amritsar and is an Indian musician, Ghazal singer and a Bollywood playback singer. Though at one stage in life he was not interested in music and musical instruments, he later when to become one of the most note Ghazal singers.
He started performing at All India Radio in his early stage of life. After hearing him at a dinner party, music director Madan Mohan gave him a chance to come to Bombay and start his playback career.
Along with singing, he has even learned Guitar and Violin and can play both the instruments quite smoothly.
His most memorable songs are –
- Kabhi Kissi Ko Mukammal Jahan Nahi Milta
- Kissi Nazar Ko Tera Intezaar Aaj Bhi Hai
- Karoge Yaad Toh
- Naam Goom Jaayega
- Beeti Na Bitai Raina
Roop Kumar Rathod
Roop Kumar Rathod is an Indian playback singer and a sought after Ghazal singer hailing from the ‘Aditya Gharana of Jamnagar’. Though his journey began as a Tabla player, he later went into the world of Ghazal and emerged as an eminent name in the 1980s.
The journey of playback singing started in the year 1989 and the rest is history as he has given many hit songs in his long span of playback career. He has sung in many regional languages as well. Other than this, he even is a part of live concerts in which he performs with his wife Sonali Rathod. He has even been part of Fusion concerts and all these concerts have been conducted all around the world.
His most memorable songs are –
- Chand Ke Saath Kal Raat
- Khamosh Raat
- Aisa Koi Zindagi Se Vada Toh Nahi Tha
- Jab Bhi Chum Leta Hoon
- Aye Dost Teri Dosti Ka
Penaz Masani
Penaz Masani is an Indian Ghazal singer who started her career in the year 1980 and has done over 20 albums. She has won many awards including the 11th Kalakar Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ in 2002.
She even worked as a playback singer and has lent her voice in over 50 films and sung in over 10 languages.
She was awarded with Padma Shri in 2006.
Few of her memorable Ghazals are –
- Tu Agar Mujhse Khafa Hai
- Dil e Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai
- Kaha The Raat Ko
- Yeh Bahaar Keh Rahi Hai
- Mohobbat Ke Sagar
Any other Ghazal singers you can think of?
Comment below!
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