Gulzar: Baat Pashmine Ki (गुलज़ार: बात पश्मीने की)

Attended concert titled "Gulzar: Baat Pashmine Ki (गुलज़ार बात पश्मीने की)", a program about legendary Gulzar (गुलज़ार) and songs written by him . The program was anchored by Sachin Khedekar, Pournima Manohar and Anand Ingle. Singers of the evening were Swarada Gokhale, Jitendra Abhyankar, Swapnaja Lele and Dhawal Chandwadkar. The program was with a music soundtrack i.e. without live music. The program was in Sheikh Rashid auditorium, Indian Highschool, Dubai. This was the hundredth show of "Baat Pashmine Ki (बात पश्मीने की)".

The concept of this program was interesting. It consisted of songs of Gulzar in the foreground, poetry and sher(शेर) on one side, painting on other side and video clips in the background. Creatively conceived.

A number of Gulzar songs were presented. The songs were; Fir wahi raat hai (फिर वही रात है), Naam gum jayega (नाम गुम जाएगा), Mora gora ang lai le (मोरा गोरा अंग लई ले), Tum pukar lo (तुम पुकार लो), Koi hota jisko apna (कोई होता जिसको अपना), Beeti na bitai raina (बिती ना बिताई रैना), O mazi re (ओ माझी रे), Ruke ruke se kadam (रुके रुकेसे कदम), Dil dhundhta hai (दिल ढूँढता है), Is modse jate hai (इस मोड़से जाते है), Chod aye ham ye galiyan (छोड आए हम ये गलियाँ), Tuzse naraz nahin (तुझसे नाराज़ नहीं), Dil hum hum kare (दिल हूम हूम करें), Mera kuch saman (मेरा वो सामान), Do naino mein (दो नैनोंमें आँसू), Ai ajnabi tu bhi kabhi (ऐ अजनबी तू भी कभी), Chalka chalka re (छलका छलका रे), Barso re megha (बरसो रे मेघा), Kajrare kajrare (कजरारे कजरारे), Jay ho (जय हो), Musafir hun (मुसाफिर हूँ).

The program showed multiple facets of the personality of Gulzar. His special bonds and understanding with Pamchada and Sanjeev Kumar. Clippings of films made by him like Mere Apne (मेरे अपने), Angoor (अंगुर), Machis (माचिस), Masoom (मासूम), Ijazat (इजाज़त) etc., excerpts from his stories like Ravi par (रावी पार).

Program started almost one hour late due to some "technical" difficulty. The stage set up was such that the spectators sitting at the end of seat rows could not see the video clips. This was a big fault of stage manager (नेपथ्यकार).

The reason of using three persons as anchors was not clear. Sachin Khedekar was the life force of the program and carried the show on his shoulder. His rendition of the poems and reading of story was excellent. His knack of presenting the poem, applying right amount of emphasis and effective pauses were endearing. Other two anchors were 'also ran'.

The singers were decent. They were not WOW but nothing to complain about. However Swarada and Dhawal impressed. Surprisingly audience did not ask for 'once more' even once. Since the entire program was digitized, it would not have been possible anyway.

Girish Charwad drew two paintings. His painting of Mirza Ghalib was appreciated. Interestingly besides being a good painter he is also a Sarod player.

All in all it was conceived well, planned well and executed as per plan. A good experience. Although you know Gulzar, you are impressed by his contribution and achievement a new. And here lies the success of program.

Entertainment rating 8.5/10.