The 4 Corners and Centre of Pratibha Singh Baghel’s Universe

THE FOUR CORNERS

Madhurani
Intezar Ghazal
(Saregama India, 1996)

Intezar Ghazal by Madhurani Ji inspired me in a big way. Firstly, because she was the only female composer of her own ghazals during the period when she was active. Whatever she sang, she composed herself and it shows so much about what she has learnt and her ability to create. Secondly, she never ran towards stardom. She was so committed to her art and its purity that getting into the limelight was the lowest priority for her. This helped me to understand the difference between class [quality] and mass [production/quantity].

Paras Nath & Pratibha Singh Baghel
Lafz Bheege Hain
(Sufiscore, 2023)

This album is very close to my heart for many reasons. I am a huge fan of the poet Sahir Ludhianvi. I’ve always wondered how poets can think about emotions which are so relevant. Then, one fine day, I received a ghazal, ‘Lafz Bheege Hain’, from my big brother. He asked me to sing it, so I did and sent it to him. He immediately called and took me to speak to the ghazal’s writer, Ajay Sahaab. Sahaab told me that he’s also a great admirer of Sahir Ludhianvi. Then he gave me a few more ghazals to sing, which I sang for this album. They describe the unrequited love story of Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam. Each ghazal tells a story. I’m very happy that I could do this. This album was composed by Rajesh Singh Ji and musically arranged by Shri Paras Nath Ji.

Pratibha Singh Baghel
Bole Naina - Silences Speak
(Sufiscore, 2021)

A girl from Rewa who never thought to go into the Indian film industry or to make it big in an independent music career, but nonetheless got to collaborate with legends like Gulzaar Sahab and Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab. All the credit goes to Shri Deepak Pandit Ji, who got everyone along to execute and make this possible, along with Sufiscore. This was my first album with the amazing composer and violinist Deepak Pandit. It was written by the legendary Gulzar Sahab and the title-track was played by Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab. I would say I was fortunate to receive everyone’s blessings. This was Sufiscore’s first musical album. It is a platform where artists have full liberty as regards creativity. We’re lucky to be associated with Sufiscore so closely.

Bhimsen Joshi & Lata Mangeshkar
Ram Shyam Gun Gaan
(EMI, 1985)

This album is one of my favourites by the amazing composer Shrinivas Khale, and it’s sung by two of my favourite singers, Bhimsen Joshi Ji and Lata Mangeshkar Ji. I remember I used to sing most of the songs when I was a kid; I still do. Bhimsen Joshi was a great classical singer and Lata Mangeshkar, we all know who she was. This combination was unbelievable. I sometimes feel lucky to be born in this era where these greats were living and creating music.

THE CENTRE

Hariharan & Ustad Zakir Hussain
Hazir (Ghazals from India)
(Magnasound, 1992)

Two of my absolute favourite artists perform together on this album. I learnt the nuances of ghazal gayaki (the art of singing or performing the ghazal in the Indian classical tradition) through this album. This album was given to me by my uncle, the late Shri Vijay Bahadur Singh. He was a renowned tabla and Nagma player. He wanted me to sing ghazals and thumaris since childhood. Whenever I listen to this album, I remember him. I’ve had the privilege to work and receive blessings from both of these maestros.

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