How ghazal made fest more melodious and helped Urdu find new takers

The municipal bus stand auditorium in Malappuram was packed. But nobody quite knew what to expect. After all, a new event was making its debut at the State School Arts Festival.

The moment V.G. Harikrishnan started his rendition of Pyar bhare do sharmile nain…, everyone was convinced that ghazal was here to stay. The student from GVHSS, Atholi (Kozhikode), was applauded loudly for his rendering of the timeless ghazal sung originally by Mehdi Hassan.

That was in 2013. And there were several fine attempts by the young singers. One recalls Alka Ajith’s version of Ghulam Ali Hungama hai kyun barpa. She was already a star, having sung playback and won a major reality show in Tamil.

Alka, in fact, went on to win the first prize. There are, of course, no places at the school festival now, only grades. But those days, the students are ranked though the results were not announced publicly.

Ghazal has gone on to become more popular at the school festival. Later on, accompanying musicians, usually professional, were allowed to be on the stage to play harmonium and tabla. And that has added to the charms, though that has meant spending more by the parents.

The musicians certainly made a difference to the talented singers at the HSS ghazal competition at the 64th State School Arts Festival. And there was a good crowd too at the St. Joseph’s Convent GHS on Wednesday morning.

The music lovers were treated to some fine performances, too. Singers like K.C. Amrutha Varshini of Providence GHS, Kozhikode, and Bevan Biju of SBHSS, Changanassery. Interestingly both of them chose Ghulam Ali’s ghazals.

While Amrutha sang Faasle aise bhi honge, Bevan chose Ranj ki jab guftagoo hone lagi. “I have always been a fan of Ghulam Ali,” said Amrutha, who is a familiar voice for many through television.

The singers and the audience deserved better acoustics, though. Among the audience was Urdu teacher K.A. Fouzia at AMUPS, Thalikkulam. “Not only did they sing well, but most of their Urdu diction was good too,” she said. “After Ghazal was introduced at the school festival more students have started learning at school.”