.::A musical tribute to relationships::. Review on Marasim

At last, after days of unprecedented heat (and stress!), rain had descended on London. With fat, oblong raindrops pelting loudly on and drenching my window-pane, I leaned on the sill with one hand on my chin, looking out and reflecting. In the background was this beautiful album playing and in this serene environ, I couldn’t help but feel the meaning of the word “bliss”. I jotted down some thoughts, which have eventually taken the form of a review, and have presented it below…

Relationships. Thin strings of thoughts and rules binding individuals. Sometimes coming on a platter as a gift, and sometimes tied to the hands like handcuffs. In any form, their knots are constantly re-arranged with time, love and trust. Sometimes bitter experiences gnaw into them to test the strength of these knots and at other times, hatred, betrayal and destiny break them.My quote

Marasim (meaning relationships) is one such musical journey which shadows on human bonds and feelings with its beautiful wings sewn with strings of eight ghazals (the musical form of Urdu poetry). Sung and composed by the ever-enchanting Jagjit Singh and penned by Gulzar, below are some feelings that got invoked when I listened to each of the melodies…

Haath Chhute Bhi To Rishtey Nahin Choda Karte,

Waqt Ki Shaakh Se Lamhe Nahin Toda Karte.

This is album’s first ghazal and probably the only one with a positive note. Moralistic in theme, this one contains a plea to ease out in life. To take life as it comes. It doesn’t matter if physical bonds break, moments spent together in a relationship will always be etched. The poem beautifully conveys the message of leaving the past behind and moving forward. Lots of metaphors and images are used to convey the thoughts with sad past being compared to shattered glass, life being compared to honey and incidents being compared to the river. If the poetry is excellent, the music is even better. Laced handsomely with tabla, sitar and guitar, the earthen feel is nostalgic, and the tune with Jagjitji’s smooth vocals lingers on and on.

The first ghazal ends with a short poem by Gulzarsaab revisiting the relationship between India and Pakistan. Presented as a musing after a figment of imagination that visitors from the other side are visiting him, its excellently crafted and ends like this:

….Khwaab Tha Shaayad Khwaab Hi Hoga,

Kuch Khwaabon ka Suna Hai, Khoon Hua Hai

Ek Purana Mausam Lauta, Yaad Bhari Puravaaii Bhi,

Aisa To Kam Hi Hota Hai, Woh Bhi Hon Tanhaai Bhi.

Exploring the ageing of relationships with time, this ghazal takes the memory lane of a lonely lover, whose mind is still imprinted with every single moment spent with his partner. A song with a very depressive undertone, imagery is again in full form with past memories referred as shower of rain and cool breezes. The vocals dominate the whole track with music relegated to a soothing background. Only tabla, harmonium and sitar make their presence felt in this soulfully composed tune.

Aankhon Mein Jal Rahaa Hai Kyon, Bujhta Nahin Dhuaan,

Uthta to Hai Ghata Sa, Barasta nahin Dhuaan.

Probably the strangest of all ghazals in this album, this one actually boasts of some of the most layered poetic words I have heard. All through the ghazal, a relationship which turned rancid unexpectedly is explored through the eyes of a confused lover. The poetry is very indirect, blooming with metaphors. Sad present moments are referred as invisible smoke which forms the dominant image all through the ghazal, and its stinging, eye-watering, inescapable nature is reminiscent of grief and regret. Though Gulzarsaab’s poetry is flawless, the tune isn’t. Too plaintive and a bit routine, it holds an uncanny resemblance to another ghazal-Tere Baare Mein Jab Socha Nahin Tha (Jagjit Singh’s Saher). Neverthless, its acoustically endearing nature can’t be faulted with.

Woh Khat Ke Purze Udaa Raha Tha,

Hawaaon Ka Rukh Dikhaa Raha Tha

This one actually takes a peek at the psyche of a distraught, deceived friend. In a reflective moment, he reasons his own sadness and quite triumphantly comes up with a satisfying number of reasons to be away from his fair-weather friend. Though the poetry reeks with sadness and imagery (memories thrown away like old letters), the tune is quite amusingly upbeat with a lively guitar and a tabla on a fast note.

Shaam Se Aankh Mein Nami Si Hai,

Aaj Phir Aap Ki Kami Si Hai

A reflective ghazal written and sung in a depressive mood, the stinging pain of loneliness that this ditty encompasses is to look out for. A lonely lover who feels burying himself is more lively than living without his lover and becomes morose observing the inconsistency of time and life, the poem's gloomy feel is felt throughout. The tune compliments the mood with only tabla and vocals playing dominantly with sitar interludes to get the right effect. Genuinely soulful!

Zindagi Yun Hui Basar Tanha,

Kafila Saath aur Safar Tanha

Dedicated solely to the loneleliness, this one surely makes one’s tear-ducts moist. With every line, the mood touches new depths of depression. For a taster, have a look at this couplet:

Apne Saaye Se Chaunk Jaate Hain (My own shadow scares me)

Umr Guzri Hai Iss Kadar Tanha (My life has been spent in such loneliness)

Plenty of synthesizer is roped in this one to accentuate the pain in Jagjitji’s low-octave vocals. Great one again!

Ek Parwaaz Dikhayi Di Hai,

Teri Awaaz Sunayi Di Hai

The dispirit and dejection of separation gets explored in this ghazal with a beautiful violin played abundantly all through to convey the pain of the lover. Excellently composed, with more direct poetry, Jagjitji’s layered vocals is what makes it special.

Din Kuchch Aise Guzaarta Hai Koi,

Jaise Ahsaan Utaarta Hai Koi.

The last ghazal of this beautiful album is again an excellent piece of poetry with the anguish and regret of loneliness being conveyed by comparing the heavy days with favours. Strangely written, but fabulously composed with the usual instruments.

My favourite couplet:

Aaina Dekhkar Tasalli Hui (I looked in the mirror and was consoled)

Humko Iss Ghar Mein Jaanta Hai Koi (Atleast someone in this house recognizes me)

.::Overall::.

Marasim to me is more than an album. There’s so much soul gone into every melody sung in this album, that its infectious to say the least. Be it Jagjit Singh’s smooth, thick and rich vocals or Gulzarsaab’s prolific poetry, Marasim breathes through every word. Music is purposely kept simple and flowing and there aren’t any mandatory gaps between ghazals to bring out the pain in the words of the Urdu poetry, and the overall effect is mesmeric.

.::On an ending note::.

Marasim has got everything: Poetry that’ll set you thinking every time you hear it, vocals that’ll enthral you with their intricacy, music that’ll leave you numb with its simplicity and ghazals that you’ll hum for years…probably this is what makes it such a satisfying listening experience.

A must buy for every Ghazal lover…