Iqbal Bano – the Malika-e-Ghazal – had the perfect voice for classical ghazals. Born in India, she married and moved to Pakistan. Sang some unforgettable numbers in her career.

Did you know April 21st is known as the Black Sari Day in Pakistan. Look up the reason – how she rebelled against the military rule that was curbing women’s freedom to dress as they willed and as a result was banned from any national programs by the (military) government.

This rendition is of a poem written by none other than Mirza Ghalib.

“Taskin ko hum na roen
Jo zauq-e-nazar miley,
Huraan-e-khuld mein teri
Surat magar miley.
Apni gali mein mujhko na kar
Dafan baad-e-qatal,
Mere pate se khalaq ko
Kyon tera ghar miley?”

Roughly translated…

I will not be crying for comfort
If I behold your approving eyes
Should I perceive your countenance
Among the virgins of paradise

Do not bury me in your own street
After you have slayed me (with your beauty)
Why guide others to your address
When they come looking for me?

And I had my own music room to practice my tabla. She was out for our dear friend’s birthday. That gave me a chance to get in touch with my inner self…

In the poet’s words…

“Mere aansuon pe nazar na kar
Mera shikwa sun ke khafa na ho
Use zindagi ka bhi haq nahi
Jisey dard-e-ishq mila na ho”

My rough translation…

“Please do not look at my tears
Please do not get upset with my complaints
You do not even have a right to life
If you have not gone thru the pangs of love”

She is away at a party. Gives me all the time to settle down for some ghazals with a cocktail. (which beats samosa with wine!!)

This evening, we are with Suman Kalyanpur. Another gift from Swami family.

An evening by myself with Habib Wali Mohamed. I expect very few listeners today to recognize him. He had focused most of his time on studying and running his family business. But in between, when he recorded some songs, they were golden. Born in Yangon (Burma), he lived twice in India, twice in Pakistan and twice in the USA (first time he got a MBA from Syracuse and the second time was in his sunset years – he died surrounded by his family in Los Angeles).

This rare LP is one more that I inherited from Deval’s dad.

Thank you Deval, Krupal and Shaku : without your magnanimity, this evening would have not happened for me.

Playing some of dad’s favorite Hemant Kumar numbers on his second death anniversary.

“Poth harabo bolei
Ebar pothe nemechi
Soja pother dhnadhay
Ami onek dhnedhechi
Poth harabo bolei
Ebar pothe nemechi”

Lyrics and tune by Salil Chowdhury

Roughly translated…

“I am stepping back on the road again
This time so that I can get lost on my way

The road, that is straight and narrow
Has disoriented me time and again

This time I am stepping back on the road
Just so that I can get lost on my way”

After my vinyl record collection, now I am into arranging my CDs! Thankfully, I had never discarded my music CDs after streaming and music-in-cloud took over. Brought out the 1200+ CDs I have, selected about 500 of them (mostly 90s and before) to keep for ready access and put them in these neat looking book cases.

Love the CD storage boxes. Took my a month to find something I would like.

Now I am ready for more music with Jay Jay. Who, for some reason, has equated Indian music without Pringles to be a cue for him to go to sleep!