Latest news with #Khazana
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
(Exclusive) Rekha Bhardwaj: Let's not call an item song a ghazal
Rekha Bhardwaj highlights the shift in focus towards instant success among youngsters, impacting the creation and use of ghazals in films. She notes the pressure to create viral hits often leads to the superficial inclusion of ghazals, sometimes mislabeled as item songs. Youngsters want instant success,' shares Rekha Bhardwaj , emphasising how even if a film includes a ghazal today, it's often just to create an instant hit. At the recently concluded ghazal festival Khazana in the city, the singer spoke about the power of live performances, how ghazals have evolved and why they must be treated with reverence. Excerpts: 'Youngsters want instant gratification and success, toh focus change hota hai' Rekha, who has lent her voice to songs like Phir Le Aaya Dil, Kabira and Genda Phool, among others, points out how the pursuit of virality creates pressure. She elaborates, 'Youngsters want instant gratification, instant success and instant appreciation... toh focus change hota hai. Even if they include ghazals in a film, they will only do so to ensure it becomes a hit. Ek ajeeb sa pressure hai ki gaana hit hona chahiye. Phir toh mushkil hai. There are filmmakers who have used a certain Sufi ghazal in their film, but it's actually an item song. Why don't they call it what it is? If you are making an actress do belly dance on a ghazal, then you should call it an item song.' While she dislikes the idea of using the term 'ghazal' loosely, she doesn't entirely condemn item songs. She explains, 'It's not wrong to have an item song because it's part of our culture — nautanki, kothe pe gaana bajana, it's all part of our culture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Let's take pride in that. There's nothing wrong with having such songs if the situation calls for it in the film.' 'Ghazal is a facet of love, romance and longing' Rekha feels that what sets ghazals apart is their emotional core. 'Ghazal ek poetry hai jise hum melody ke through express kartein hain. It's a facet of love, romance, longing and shringaar ras. Ghazals are eternal. The best thing is that youngsters are taking up this form, more in the interiors than the metros. But this genre needs more exposure.' 'Aaj ke ghazalon ka, qawaaliyon ka, rang badal raha hai ' The singer believes that there has been a generational shift in creative focus in movies and music. She says, 'Yes, there aren't many ghazals in film albums, but there are composers like Pritam, Vishal (Bhardwaj), who do include ghazals in their films. The only thing is that aaj kal ghazalon ka, qawaaliyon ka, rang badal raha hai, and ab aesthetics ke hisab se hota hai.' She adds, 'Youngsters apne exposure ke hisab se hi ghazal banayenge. If you take Urdu words from Google and put them in a ghazal, woh toh kam hi padega na.' "Youngsters want instant gratification, instant success and instant appreciation... toh focus change hota hai. Even if they include ghazals in a film, they will only do so to ensure it becomes a hit." - Rekha Bhardwaj
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
(Exclusive) Rekha Bhardwaj: I learnt patience and resilience from Pankaj Udhas Ji at Khazana Festival
Rekha Bhardwaj reflects on her decade-long association with the Khazana Festival, highlighting its impact on her personal and artistic growth. She emphasizes the values and patience she learned from Pankaj Udhas and describes the festival as a nurturing 'joint family' for ghazal artists. For over ten years singer Rekha Bhardwaj has been an integral part of the Khazana Festival that is now into its 24th year. This revered platform founded by Pankaj Udhas along with his friends Anup Jalota and Talat Aziz, has been celebrating the timeless art of ghazals. Reflecting on her journey since 2015, Rekha Bhardwaj shares how the two-day festival that is all set to happen this weekend, has shaped her both as an artiste and a person, and how the values imparted by stalwarts like Pankaj Udhas have left a lasting impression. At one of the rehearsalsls for theupcominging 'Khazana - a Festival of Gahzals' 'Maine itna kuch sikha hai yahan' 'I really learnt patience and resilience from Pankaj Udhas at Khazana Festival,' she reveals in an exclusive chat with Bombay Times. She fondly recalls how Pankaj Ji would patiently listen to every performer, sitting in front with a smile, appreciating each performer wholeheartedly. ''Maine itna kuch sikha hai yahan. There are so many artists who perform, and we go through soundchecks, constantly wondering when it will be our turn to sing. This waiting period is where patience is truly tested. He used to sing at the end of the show, sometimes starting at 2 or 2:15 am, and sing for an hour or more until the wee hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Ekdum sukoon se sunte theyy gaana. There used to be complete peace at that time, and his demeanour taught me so much about resilience.' Beyond music, the Kabira singer emphasizes the importance of the values and etiquettes—Sanskar—she has absorbed from the festival and its veterans. 'Khazana is not just about music, it's about these values that stay with you forever.' 'Mujhe Khazana hamesh ek badi joint family jaise lagti hai' Describing Khazana as 'a big joint family,' the singer celebrates the camaraderie and encouragement that thrives on this unique stage. ' Mujhe Khazana hamesh ek badi joint family jaise lagti hai. There are so many singers and musicians who come here purely for the love of ghazals. We meet so many young talents who are great singers. And we encourage and appreciate other singers too. Jo taan Pratibha Singh Baghel lagatien hain woah mere se nahi nikalti. ' The festival, Rekha Bhardwaj says, is a remarkable platform that goes beyond performance. 'Sitting on the Khazana stage and singing a ghazal is a different experience altogether.' She credits the legendary founders for nurturing this musical tree: 'Pankaj Ji planted the seed, and with Anup Ji and Talat Ji, it grew into a plant. Now, it's a big tree that all of us are watering and caring for together, helping it grow so everyone can sit in its shade and enjoy, uske chaav mein baithke uska lutf le sakein.' 'Over the years I realized that I just want to be part of Khazana, in whatever capacity possible' Looking ahead, the singer expresses her heartfelt desire to deepen her involvement with Khazana beyond just singing. 'I would love to do something regular with Khazana Festival, especially with the thalassaemic kids. Even half an hour or an hour spent with them, monthly or quarterly, would be so meaningful.' She envisions engaging with these children through music and art journaling, bringing supplies and sharing creative moments. 'I want to be part of Khazana in whatever capacity possible. I may or may not sing every time, but I will definitely be present.'
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Khazana, Ghazal festival, pays tribute to musical legends and supports cancer and thalassemia treatment
The 24th annual Khazana festival, a celebration of ghazals, will be held on July 18-19 in Mumbai, honoring Ustad Zakir Hussain and Mohammed Rafi. This monsoon-themed event, featuring both established and emerging artists, supports the Cancer Patients Aid Association and the Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust. MUMBAI: The two-day (July 18-19) Khazana, a festival of ghazals, a medley of mellifluous music and soulful shairi (poetry) at a five-star hotel in the city, will pay tribute to tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi as part of the centenary celebrations of the iconic singer. It is a blending of poetry, melody, and purpose. Being held in the middle of the monsoon, the event is expected to embody 'monsoon ragas' as singers, both veterans and new talents selected from a talent hunt, mesmerise the ghazal lovers. Carrying the legacy of ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas, the 24th year of the festival, like the previous ones, is for the noble cause of supporting the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) and Parents Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT). 'This is one festival ghazal connoisseurs eagerly wait for. We have people tell us that they did not miss a single edition of the festival in the last 24 years. Speaking of myself, I come more to listen than to sing,' said Ghazal-Bhajan Maestro Anup Jalota, who, along with Udhas and Talat Aziz, originally planned Khazana. Jalota added that the festival is wedded to a good cause as 'treatment of thalassemia and cancer is very expensive, and all proceeds go to the treatment of the patients while no artiste charges anything. ' You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Apart from Jalota and Aziz, the festival will also feature Rekha Bhardwaj, Sudeep Banerji, Osman Mir, Amir Mir, Pandit Ajay Pohankar, Ajit Pohankar, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Pratibha Singh Baghel, Barnali Chattopadhyay, Kalpana Gandharv, and Himaanshu Sharma. The festival is so popular that ghazal lovers from across the country and even from abroad fly in only to attend the two-day event. 'Khazana carries the echo of my late father Shree Pankaj Udhas even if he is not physically present. It will always remain a beautiful gift he gave to the world,' said Nayab Udhas, Udhas's daughter, the force behind the show. One out of eight carriers of thalassemia live in India, and annually 10,000 children with thalassemia major are born in India. India ranks third globally in new cancer cases, with over 16 lakh diagnosed each year.
NDTV
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kapil Sharma Opens New Cafe In Canada - A Look Inside The Cafe And Its Menu
In the heart of Surrey, British Columbia, home to one of the South Asian communities in Canada, comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife Ginni Chatrath have started a new venture called Kap's Cafe. The pastel-toned eatery was officially soft-launched over the weekend and has already become a recognisable spot for locals and visiting fans alike. The menu has been designed to offer a cultural mix of the familiar and the trendy. Guests can order a traditional gur wali chai or choose from modern cafe staples like matcha lattes and vanilla cold brews. Display counters show a mix of treats: lemon pistachio cake, rich fudgy brownies, croissants, and a selection of cookies loaded with nuts and cranberries. Among the current menu stars are lemon pistachio cake, classic croissants, chocolate brownies, and a selection of aromatically brewed coffees. One of the early highlights is mini pink and white doughnuts topped with edible bows. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kap's Cafe (@thekapscafe_) Also Read: These Indian Cuisine Restaurants Have Been Ranked Among Asia's 50 Best For 2025 On the opening day, the cafe's Instagram Stories showed queues stretching out the door and a packed interior. The interiors are decked out in soft blush pinks and creamy whites. A floral archway greets visitors at the entrance, leading them into a space filled with plush baby-pink velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers, gold-accented tables, and decorative floral touches. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kap's Cafe (@thekapscafe_) Several well-known Indian celebrities and chefs have established a strong presence in Canada's restaurant scene. Vikram Vij, one of the earliest pioneers of upscale Indian dining in Canada, continues to operate his flagship restaurant Vij's in Vancouver. In Ontario, celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor maintains multiple outlets of his fine-dining brand Khazana, with active locations in Toronto, Brampton, and Milton. Toronto-based restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani has a growing list of ventures including Goa Indian Farm Kitchen, Bar Goa, and the upcoming Oro, which is set to open later this year.
