Ditch Darrling for Faiz's nazms

Tonight, Rekha and Vishal Bhardwaj will rekindle their tryst with theatre, with Gulon mein Rang Bhare, a special performance of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry

Her item songs -- Beedi and Namak -- have transformed her into a sought after singer, blessed with a mesmerising, sensuous voice, while the more recent, energy-packed Darrling, gets the junta rolling their tongues as they sing along.



But it's her riyaz of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry that is getting Rekha Bhardwaj excited these days. "It is much better than singing item songs over and over again," she admits, while chatting over a cuppa of Sulemani Chai at Prithvi Cafe.

Gulon Mein Rang Bhare is a special tribute performance commemorating Faiz's birth centenary. The performance will include a reading of some of the eminent poet's letters by Lubna Salim and Salim Arif as well as ghazals and nazms from Dast-e-Saba and Zindan-Nama set to tune by Vishal and sung by Rekha. The couple has included popular favourites such as Gulon Mein Rang Bhare and Dashte Tanhai as well as lesser-known works by the poet. Rekha is busy memorising lyrics while her husband is stringing the music together.

It has been a long time since the musically inclined couple worked with poetry as intense as Faiz's works. "When he sat down to compose the music, Vishal kept saying, 'Saare Dadra (raag) mein hi aa rahe.' Though he has come up with some very interesting scales, which are simple but reflect the colourful way of reading a nazm. It's a very exciting experience for both of us," says Rekha, while talking about their preparation for the event.

With this performance, the Bhardwajs return to Prithvi Theatre after a considerable period. The petite singer recalls Vishal's struggling days when he worked with theatre veterans, Nadira Babbar and Naseeruddin Shah. Her own association with theatre goes back to 1986-87, when she sang for Piyush Mishra's plays for the National School of Drama, while she was still living in Delhi and later, sang for Habib Tanvir's Agra Bazaar. "In fact, it was Habib Saab who trained me to singing without a mic. That's another reason why this performance at Prithvi is so important to me," says Rekha.

On Today, 6 pm at Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Vile Parle (W). Call 26149546 Tickets Rs 300