By Awesome TV

Incorporating the Essence of Iconic Love: A Fresh Approach to the Ghazal Form, Inspired by the Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi Saga

Resonating with the sentiment that Urdu is the language of love in India, poet Ajay Sahaab introduces a poignant collection of ghazals, beautifully rendered by Pratibha Singh Baghel in “Lafz Bheege Hain” (translated as “words drenched in tears”). Sufiscore’s latest release offers five modern compositions, preserving the classical ghazal structure of rhyming couplets while infusing a contemporary sound.

Drawing on his lifelong devotion to Urdu, Sahaab weaves a tale of love and longing, reminiscent of the legendary story of Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi—a narrative that has acquired an almost mythical status. Rooted in the backdrop of India’s Progressive Writer’s Movement, this unrequited love saga has been etched into literature and film. To complement the ghazals, director Parasher Baruah crafts a series of videos, featuring renowned actors Prachi Desai and Som Chattopadhyay, breathing life into the iconic roles.

Baruah articulates, “The songs within ‘Lafz Bheege Hain’ serve as a cinematic continuum. I aimed to convey facets of the tale while embodying universal themes of love and yearning. Navigating cinematography, I sought to recreate the ambiance of the 1950s and ’60s, paying homage to the golden era of Indian cinema—where romance harmonized with emotions, melding poetry with visual storytelling. Our choice of settings in colonial Pondicherry and Mumbai, coupled with production design and styling, greatly contributed to this endeavor.”

Prachi Desai reflects, “Upon my first encounter with ‘Lafz Bheege Hain,’ time seemed to stand still. I knew I needed to be part of this journey. It’s heartening that this marked my inaugural experience with a ghazal. It’s perplexing how we manage to find resilience after enduring significant losses. This serves as a message of hope for all who watch these videos or immerse themselves in this music.”

Baghel emphasizes, “The emotions evoked by this love saga are universally relatable. The sentiments of love, separation, and sorrow transcend borders. The poetry and compositions of ‘Lafz Bheege Hain’ are intended for all who resonate with these feelings. Our mission is to convey emotions, allowing contemporary generations to grasp the potency of words, melody, poetry, composition, and instruments.”

Composer Rajesh Singh notes, “As a composer, I embarked on finding the precise tonality and balanced resonance to encapsulate the poignant and divine agony depicted within these ghazals. It’s apparent that the pain of parting conveyed by the poet carries no bitterness; instead, there’s a subtle acceptance of separation owing to societal circumstances. Thus, the musical notes had to be intricately woven to avoid evoking melancholy or negativity.”

Arranger and producer Paras Nath adds, “My intent was to heighten the essence of the ghazal. Each song introduces a distinct element. The mix encompasses the cello, acoustic guitars, violin, viola, and keyboards, interwoven with Hindustani bansuri flute, the fretless sarod, and the bowed sarangi. Each instrument assumes its distinct persona. Striving for a subdued arrangement, I carefully balanced it to not overshadow the vocals and lyrics.”

*Presented by Sufiscore,* “Lafz Bheege Hain” features poetry by Ajay Sahaab, vocals by Pratibha Singh Baghel, compositions by Rajesh Singh, and *music production and arrangement* by Paras Nath, *alongside videos directed by Parasher Baruah starring* Prachi Desai and Som Chattopadhyay, set to release on August 31st, 2023.