Refreshing MADHURANI...Malika-E-Ghazal

I have no words to write about this living legend but why I am writing about her because her music is divulged in the roots of my musical mind. Seeing the current musicians and the listeners, I am really sad and forced to remind them these kind of golden singers. She is still followed by only those people who are very good listeners and great musicians.

I still remember that in early 90's my uncle, A Great Musicologist, late Pt. R. C. Bhatt (Ex-Deputy Director General-AIR) introduced me to this great artist’s music. He was gifted few cassettes of her ghazal album "INTEZAAR" by Madhurani ji herself. One day seeing my great passion for ghazals, uncle gave me the cassette to listen it. My uncle was big fan of her singing and used to say “MADHURANI JI’ S MUSIC IS AN ADDICTION TO A GOOD LISTENER OF GHAZALS.” After listening her first time, I was totally lost in her singing and became a huge fan of her. Seriously she is incomparable.

Madhurani ji is truly a living legend and known as the MALIKA-E-GHAZAL. She is most versatile and unique ghazal singer of India.

Among a few of her great fans, she was highly admired by India’s former PM Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi ji. She has received so many awards from Former president of India Lt. Dr, Zakir Hussain and Former PM Lt. Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru.

Cine Superstar Dilip Kumar sahab is also a great fan of her and says “SHE IS UNTOUCHABLE IN GHAZAL GAYAKI”

On 21^st September 1996, The living legend, The thespian himself, Mr. Dilip Kumar took pride to launch Madhurani ji’s ghazal music CD and cassette “INTEZAAR” release on the label of HMV. And here what Dilip Kumar Sahab said “URDU GHAZAL! HINDUSTANI TEZEEB KA MUNNAVAR CHAND HAI AUR AZEEZI MADHURANI NE APNE KAMAL-E-FUN SE US TEZEEB KE MAYAR KO ZINDA RAKHA HAI. AGAR MADHURANI JI KO IS DAUR KI MALIKA_E_GHAZAL KAHA JAAYE TO BEJA NA HOGA. ITNI PURASAR AWAZ HAI KI MERI ROOH SE DUAA NIKALTI HAI KE SURON KE NOOR KI YE FAWWARE SADAA YUN HI JAARI RAHEIN!!..JEETI RAHE MADHURANI!!!”

Please listen what dilip sahab says in the album Intezaar

One of the most popular and best known ghazal of madhurani ji- "Mera Dard Nagma-E-Besada" from my collection...

Ghazal King Jagjit Singh is also big fan of her and said “Madhurani ji and her style of Ghazal is truly a treasure for our Indian music that not just generations to come but every school of music will take benefit of this treasure and will cherish this till time counts exists.”

Popular singer Peenaz Masani is her disciple and she says that “She can never stop learning from her.”

Ustad Kausar Ali is also motivated and inspired by her to sing and compose ghazals and sufi kalam.

Her ghazal gayaki is influenced with the expression of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan sahab and relaxation of Amir Khan sahab’s style of renditions. Her style of singing is always melodiously decorated with the rich flavor of the classical singing which makes every good music lover so addictive in it’s own way.

Dil Lazzat-e-niag karam paake reh gaya

Great Ghazal-"Ye Daag"

Unfortunately in present scenario very few people know about this great singer. She never promoted herself commercially in this greedy world. By nature she is known as very moody singer and only sings when her soul allows. That’s the only reason that she has sung only very few ghazals commercially on records. Her quality of singing is so unique and outstanding that India’s one of the Greatest Poet said about MadhuRani ji during one of her recordings “MADHURANIJI KI GAYAKI MEIN AUR KHAAS TAUR SE INKI AWAAZ MEIN ITNA MUQADDAS ASAR HAI KE CHALTE QADAM RUK JAATE HAI HAI”

At last I would like to say that her singing and music are like a great remedy, a treatment for all musical souls. It connects hearts to hearts. I don't know where she is now and what she is doing!!!...but I am sure that She is still remembered and will always be remembered for her unique style, singing and compositions. Always thanks to my uncle also who blessed me with such kind of music...Ma'am god bless you always!!