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About the Book Hum-Umr Khayal is a collection of 64 ghazals. Written in Devnagari,
Urdu, Roman and English translation, this collection attempts to reach
out to diverse audiences - those who read the Urdu script, those who
know and appreciate Urdu but access it through Devnagri, those who love
the lilt of Urdu poetry but read it only through Roman English and lastly,
those lovers of poetry who will read this collection for what it is
- standalone poetry that can be read by anyone in any part of the word
simply as a record of a woman's innermost thoughts. |
 About the Author
Indira Varma publishes a specialised visa and travel information compendium called Source. Running into its eleventh edition it has been hailed as a travel bible by the travel industry and won several prestigious awards. She has worked with Citi Bank, Thomas Cook and the various Festivals of India. For the past 38 years she has been running Shaam-e-Ghazal, which is an institution in itself for the connoisseurs of ghazal gayaki in Delhi. A passion for Urdu poetry permeates all that she does - a passion that goes back to her childhood and an early love for the beauty of the spoken word. Today, at 64, she is a doting mother and grandmother, a busy entrepreneur and a poet honing and perfecting her craft. |
reveal the slow process of maturing,
the evolution of poetic sensibility and thought. This collection, slim
though it is, contains the distilled experience of a full life. Indira Varma is a fine poet and an accomplished lyricist. There is a certain sweet melodiousness in her poetry that goes beyond a mere play of beautiful words. Like the nightingale that sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds, this collection of verse makes a "thing of beauty" out of everyday experiences. A wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a woman of the world, an entrepreneur, Indira Varma is all this and much more. She combines her disparate experiences, views them through th e prism of her own innate poetic sensibility and transmutes them into sublime expressions of beauty and grace. These 64 ghazals are paintings with gift of speech - each portraying a personal landscape that has magically been bestowed with the ability to speak up and describe itself. |
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| Track Listing |
Hum-Umr Khayal
Music Today presents a great new ghazal and poetry offering. This new ghazal
album called Hum-Umr Khayal is unique in every way. Written by Indira Varma,
a contemporary poetess, the ghazals in this collection are a beautiful passage
through the poet's life. A part of the book, Hum-Umr Khayal, which is a collection
of 64 ghazals, was released along with the music, the album features the exquisite
nuances of Urdu poetry with every Ghazal translated in Hindi, Roman and an
English translation by Rakhshanda Jalil.
Hum-Umr Khayal is a reflection of the thoughts and feelings of the poet. It marks the passage of a life lived to its fullest. The poetry transcends the boundaries of words and takes one through the fascinating maze of a woman's mind. The words have a melodious quality to them and allow the listener to embark on the intriguing journey into a woman's heart.
Hum-Umr Khayal - The Album
Hum-Umr Khayal is a bouquet of 14 soul-stirring ghazals. Eight of these have been sung by the brilliant new stars on the horizon - Sudeep, Radhika Chopra and Shoma Bannerjee. Six of them have been recited by Indira Varma and are interspersed throughout the album with the renditions of the singers. The three singers are accomplished artistes in their own right. Sudeep is a well-known ghazal voice among connoisseurs. He took to music at an early age but it was his training in dadra-thumri and the finer nuances of ghazal under the guidance of Shanti Hiranand, the foremost disciple of the legendary Begum Akhtar, that cemented his passionate relationship with ghazal.
Radhika is a well-known voice in the music scene. A soulful voice like hers is rare. Coupled with her meticulous and flawless rendition, the voice has an extremely pleasing effect. Radhika is Ph.D in Hindustani music and has trained in thumri, dadra under Smt Shanti Hiranand.
Shoma is a versatile singer who has sung for a variety of genres and disparate media. From stage shows, to AIR, TV and even Bollywood, Shoma has traversed every possible platform of music. Shoma has sung for films like Taal, Saathiya, Alai Payude, Phool Hi Phool and Tabahi.
The album begins with Sudeep's rendition of Dil Se Apne Khud-Ba-Khud. Sudeep's smooth and impactful voice has the right balance of taiyari and feel, both essential for ghazal singing. The correct usage of expression, punctuation and pronunciation can be seen in Sudeep's style of singing.
This is followed by Radhika Chopra's Dost Jab Zi-Waqar Hota Hai. Radhika's voice is a beautiful mix of crystal clear tonal quality and ethereal beauty. Her mellifluous rendition of the ghazal is simply awesome.
Shoma Bannerjee's rendition of Tamam Fiqr is charming to say the least. Her delicate voice with its husky tinge is extremely enchanting. Her rendition of the ghazal is reminiscent of the famous ghazal and geet singers of Pakistan.
Kya Mila Hai Tujhko has been rendered by Sudeep in the traditional style he has inherited as a legacy from his guru. Sudeep's clear voice carries through beautifully, traversing octaves and ragas with amazing ease. The poetry and music complement each other beautifully.
Hazar Khwab Liye Ji Rahi Hain is a beautifully written ghazal. Radhika's rendition in based on the night raga Bageshwari is mesmerising. The romantic poetry also has a tinge of pathos, which reflects in Radhika's rendition.
Tum Mujhe Apna Kaho is yet another extremely romantic ghazal. Shoma's melodious voice and the lovely composition justify the lyrical odyssey of the poet. This composition has been sung in the style of a geet.
The album moves towards a conclusion with the rendition of Tere Khayal Ka Charcha by Radhika Chopra. This composition in raga Bhairavi showcases Radhika's amazing range and the pleasing fluidity of her voice.
The album concludes with Aaj Phir Chand Usne Manga Hai, a delightful ghazal sung by Sudeep in the style of a nazm. The composition, without any rhythm accompaniment is fascinating. The focus is only on the rendition and the poetry with minimal orchestration.
Hum-Umr Khayal is a unique offering of contemporary thoughts and feelings from a woman poet.
Priced at Rs 65/- per cassette and Rs 195/- per CD.