It was a weekend steeped in nostalgia, poetry and timeless melodies as the Silver Jubilee edition of Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals concluded with two unforgettable evenings celebrating the enduring magic of the ghazal. Bringing together stalwarts of Indian music and a promising new generation of performers, the 25th edition proved, that while the genre’s rich legacy remains intact, its future is in capable hands. Among the standout moments were performances by veterans Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, Anup Jalota, Rekha Bhardwaj, Vishal Bhardwaj, Javed Ali, Sudeep Banerji and Sunil Mungee, while talented youngsters, some as young as 10, won hearts with their confident renditions of timeless classics.
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The festival opened each evening with a specially curated musical medley paying tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle and ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas, setting an emotional tone for the celebrations. Hosted by Rakshanda Khan and Anup Soni, the event also featured performances by young talents Nihira Joshi, Tejas Gambhir, Aleena Bharti, Rizwan Ahmed, Ayaan Khan and Kuhu and Pihu Sharma. Hariharan mesmerised the audience with soul-stirring renditions of Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar Hota, Ye Aaine Se and the evergreen Sarakti Jaaye Hai Rukh Se Naqab Aahista-Aahista, reaffirming why he remains one of the country’s finest ghazal exponents. One of the most emotional performances of the festival came from Sonu Nigam, who paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Pankaj Udhas. He said, “Mujhe accha nahi lagta ke main apne se badon ke gaano ke saath ched khani karoon. Mujhe ghazal ki tehzeeb abhi seekhni hain, iske alag ettiquttes hotein hain.” He then moved the audience with renditions of Aap Jinke Kareeb Hote Hain, Chitthi Aayi Hai and several other beloved ghazals associated with the legendary singer. Composer-filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj charmed audiences with his trademark humility before presenting songs including Pani Pani Re, Hum To Tere Hi Liye The and Ishq Ka Fever. Addressing the audience, he said, “Yehan sab bade kalakar itne pass baithe hotein hain. Aap sab thodi riyaat mujhe dijiye. Main composer hoon, singer nahi, par main koshish karta hoon.” Rekha Bhardwaj’s evocative renditions of Lambi Judai and Ek Woh Din cast a spell on listeners, while Sudeep Banerjee’s moving performance of Allah Tero Naam added a devotional touch to the evening. Javed Ali drew loud applause with powerful renditions of Arziyan and Kun Faya Kun, bringing a Sufi flavour to the festival. The grand finale belonged to Anup Jalota, whose performance of Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Chandi Jaisa Rang, Shaam Angdai Le Rahi Hai earned thunderous applause and a standing ovation, bringing the Silver Jubilee celebrations to a fitting close. Adding to the festive spirit was the presence of several distinguished personalities from the music fraternity, including Sivamani, Mitali Singh, Penaz Masani, Runaa Rizvii, Rakesh Chaurasia, Gino Banks, Prithvi Gandharv, Meenal Jain, Purbayan Chatterjee and Gayatri Asokan. As the curtains came down on its landmark 25th edition, Khazana – A Festival of Ghazals once again reaffirmed that while the ghazal continues to honour its glorious past, it is also finding fresh voices and new admirers, ensuring that its timeless legacy lives on for generations to come.
