Ghazals in the album are sung by popular singer Radhika Chopra and are written by Indian poet Indira Varma and the Pakistani poet Zehra Nigah. It is a truth universally acknowledged that friendship knows no borders. These two poet friends, living on either sides of a man-made border, come together not merely in their affection for each other but also in their great love for poetry, urdu zubaan and tehzeeb.

The ghazals and nazms included in this CD are as much a tribute to the special relationship between these two ladies as a celebration of the choicest offerings from their respective poetic oeuvres. Interspersed with readings by some of the true connoisseurs of Urdu poetry, this collection demonstrates how a sea of goodwill is far better than a chasm of doubt and misgivings.

Recitations in the album are done by Javed Akhtar, Muzaffar Ali, Farooque Shaikh & Shahid Mahdi.

About the Poets

Zehra Nigahis a much loved and highly respected poet in Pakistan. In India she is an eagerly awaited figure on the mushaira circuit, especially the two annual Indo-Pak mushairas. Her poetry is about the compulsions and compromises of being a woman and a poet. Refusing to be categorised by the labels of a writer of feminine poetry or a feminist poet, she speaks in a woman's tongue, using feminine imagery and idiom to make powerful social and political comments. She has alluded to the bitter fratricidal war that culminated in the creation of Bangladesh as well as the heart-rending situation in Afghanistan in lyrical, pathos-driven yet politically astute poems such as ‘Bhejo Nabi ji Rehmatein’ and ‘Qissa Gul Badshah’.

Indira Varma is an accomplished poet, with three published volumes behind her. Yet, she considers herself a learner, as one who has much to learn from Zehra Nigah, whom she considers her guru and mentor. For her, this cd is as much a labour of love as it is a tribute to one of the finest practitioners of the craft.

About the Artiste

Radhika Chopra

In an era where fusion and new age music dominate the current Indian music scenario, Dr. Radhika Chopra, an extremely talented and a versatile artiste, predominantly features as a rare performer who continues to excel and please the connoisseur with her traditional puritan raga based gayaki.

A holder of a Doctorate degree in Indian Classical Music, Delhi based Radhika, is a much sought after composer and singer not only across India and Pakistan, but as far away as the United Kingdom, the Near East and East Africa where loyal audiences have been charmed and enthralled by her melodious & soul stirring renditions, and fabulous personality. Blessed with the divine gift of music and years of relentless effort to achieve perfection, Dr. Chopra’s excellence & finesse, her crisp & clear voice coupled with her impeccable diction of both the Hindi and Urdu languages have won her accolades of the discerning listener right across the globe.

Born in Jammu, Radhika initially trained under the tutelage of Pandit J. R. Sharma and later under Shrimati Shanti Hiranand. A highly accomplished artiste, She renders the most intricate and sophisticated ghazal, dadra and thumri compositions with the utmost ease and brilliance. Radhika’s versatility is further reflected in her varied repertoire of Bhajans, Folk songs and Sufiana kalams. Radhika's accomplishments have been recognized by the highest authorities in the field of Indian music, having been empanelled by the ICCR to perform in foreign countries to promote Ghazal.

Track List

01 Shaam Ka Pehla Tara Zehra Nigah Recitation Farooque Shaikh  

02 Hawa ne Baandh- Zehra Nigah

03 Shab e Firaq- Indira Varma

04 Wahshat mein bhi- Zehra Nigah Muzaffar Ali Recitation

05 Ye Udasi ye Phailtey- Zehra Nigah

06 Pyar ki Saari- Indira Varma

07 Khush Jo Aaye- Shahid Mahdi

08 Dosti Ka Ek- Zehra Nigah

09 Sar e Ghuroor- Indira Varma

10 Bhejo Nabhi ji Rehmatein- Shahid Mahdi

11 Aaj ki Baat- Zehra Nigah

12 Aj Phir Zehra Nigah Recitation by Farooque Shaikh  

13 Zah e Naseeb- Indira Varma

14 Qissa Gul Badshah- Javed Akhtar