Neel Salekar

Recalling the initial days of conceptualising the show, Gambhir, a trained musician, tells us how the idea germinated following an intimate concert that Salekar organised on the Ustad’s death anniversary last year. “By the end of the mehfil, we knew we had to do something bigger with the idea. With the shared reverence we had for Ustad, I suggested Salekar to accompany me in singing some shayaris between my performances.” With their second-ever gig on the horizon and even grand plans brewing, the duo shares that their annual tribute performance on the Ustad’s anniversary stays on the calendar. 

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If you’re not well versed in Urdu, Salekar assures us that’s no reason to fret. “I will be breaking the lyrics down, and sharing a basic introduction before every qawwali to make sure everyone is on the same page,” he shares. Gambhir shares an observation from the duo’s debut performance last year, “The qawwali, Aap baithe hain bali pe mere, speaks of a disciple’s devotion to his guru. The disciple expresses how the comfort of a guru’s presence gives him the courage to face death; but his attachment to the guru is such that it does not allow him to breathe his last. When we share these interpretations, and then perform the qawwali, the emotions become palpable. It’s not unusual to see a few tears being shed in the audience.”

ON Tomorrow; 8 pm 
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