Event Details

This show has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Listening Session on the Artistry of Begum Akhtar

Guided by Tushar Bhatia

An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with Music Forum, Mumbai

This session will be presented around the 110th birth anniversary of Akhtari Bai Faizabadi (1914 – 1974), popularly known as Begum Akhtar, the indisputable diva of ghazal, who went on to capture millions of hearts with her hypnotic voice and peerless style of rendering poetry.

Born in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, she took to music at a very young age and went on to train under great masters like Ata Mohammed Khan of Patiala, Abdul Waheed Khan of Lahore and Jhande Khan. In time, she came to be recognised as one of the most prominent and dazzling divas whose voice, expression and graceful presentations brought her the epithet Malika-e-ghazal (the queen of ghazal).

This session will be guided by Tushar Bhatia, a presenter, music composer and sitarist who has researched extensively and produced a number of albums by Begum Akhtar for HMV, Music India and Sony Music.

The session will include excerpts of thumri, dadra, ghazal, sawan, etc., immortalised by Begum Akhtar. These include ‘Ras Ke Bhare Tore Naina’, ‘Hamari Atariya Pe Aao’, ‘Mere Humnafas Mere Humnava’, ‘Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha’, ‘Chha Rahi Kari Ghata’, among others. Highlighting the uniqueness of her musical style across the years, Bhatia will also share personal interactions with people close to her and some interesting anecdotes.

Register now.