One of my favourites of this early period is Begum Akhtar’s concert in the presence of an invited audience. Known for her exquisite ghazal rendition and her inimitable thumri-dadra style, Begum Akhtar (1914-1974) swayed listeners cross the country with her poignant voice and emotive performances.
This is Begum Akhtar’s birth centenary and what better way to observe it than to view and listen to her television recordings.
The first clip features her rendition of a hori and ghazals.
This clip brings together Begum Akhtar and the equally charismatic poet Kaifi Azmi, showcasing in the process an ethos, an informality and a composite creative approach that artistes of the time shared.
Tabla maestro Aneesh Pradhan is a performer, composer and author. See his website here.