Violinist Deepak Pandit talks about challenge of blending ghazals with symphony orchestra

Deepak Pandit

When violinist Deepak Pandit decided to render legendary ghazals using symphony orchestra, his biggest dilemma was on how to reinvent the song without the track losing its soul. "Famous ghazals like Mehdi Hassan's Ranjish Hi Sahi and Pankaj Udhas's Aur Aahista are songs which people have heard innumerable times, and love it the way it is. So, for us the challenge was to present the song in an-all new avatar in a manner that people appreciate it," says Pandit, who has worked as a violinist for The Namesake (2006), I Am Kalam (2010) and Yeh Faasley (2011).

After consistent practice and rehearsal, Pandit along with 25 other musicians will present a ghazal symphony orchestra - a first in the city - on March 25 where singers Anurag Sharma and Anwesshaa, a popular voice from Bengal will croon classics immortalised by Mehdi Hassan, Madan Mohan, Lata Mangeshkar and other legends. Some of the songs that will be sung include Chitthi Aayi Hai by Udhas, Madan Mohan's Rasm-e-ulfat and Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, a Nazm written by Fayyaz Hashmi. "While the lyrics and the composition will remain the same, only the arrangement, treatment and the orchestration will change," he explains.

The 42-year-old, who gave his first performance at 11, believes that to blend ghazals with symphony, it's important to have knowledge of both Indian classical and western classical music. "You have to ensure that the Indian raagas blend with the symphony. There's a very thin line between fusion and confusion, so you have to get it right," says
Pandit.

"Musician Abhinav Upadhyay and I had planned a ghazal symphony with Jagjit Singh back in 2005. It never materialised in Mumbai. We had shelved the idea after the demise of Jagjitji, but now decided to revive it as a tribute," he says.

Where: Shanmukhanand Hall, Behind Gandhi Market, Comrade Harbanslal Marg, Sion
When: MARCH 25, 7 PM
Entry: Rs 149 - Rs 1,999
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