‘Kochi Ghazal’ Series with Singer Jr. Mehboob Captivates Crowd at General Hospital

KOCHI:
Soft melodies and lyrical compositions echoed around the Government General Hospital today as singer Jr. Mehboob led the second week of the ‘Kochi Ghazal’ musical series organized as part of the ‘Art and Medicine’ programme of the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
Ghazal concerts have always been crowd-pullers at the all-Wednesday weekly show and the 170th episode witnessed a fair crowd of patients, bystanders and medical staffers.
Jr. Mehboob, who has been in the music industry for over fifty years and has shared stage with many famous playback singers and music composers, rendered eight soulful Ghazals of legends including Pankaj Udhas, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh.
He began with Udhas’ Aaj Wohi Geeton Ki Rani followed by the iconic Mehdi Hassan’s Zindagi Mein to Sabhi Pyar. He concluded the concert with yet another popular and nostalgic number by Udhas, Chithi Aayi Hei.
Jr. Mehboob has been fortunate enough to sing along with the iconic singer H Mehboob and has performed the most number of stage shows among Malayalam singers. He has been part of popular music troupes including Kochi Kalabhavan, CAC, Angel voice and Blue Diamond. He also is the Art Convener of the Mehboob Memorial Orchestra.
“Ghazal gives one an experience of many emotions all at one time like, love, pain and intense relationships. Evidently there is a balance of literature and music in Ghazals. This is an effort to take this genre of music forward to future generations,” Jr. Mehboob said.
“The challenge of producing Ghazals in its pure form is intoxicating and when it aims to bring solace to patients, the experience is even more thrilling,” added the singer.
Mehboob’s voice is perfectly suited for the genre, bringing alive the romanc
e and pathos of life. The crowd supported the performers with rounds of generous applause.
The weekly Arts and Medicine series is an initiative of the KBF in association with Mehboob Memorial Orchestra and sponsorship of CAFS (Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services) providing solace to patients through therapeutic music.