Ghazal maestro Talat Aziz to perform in Riyadh

India's renowned Ghazal maestro Talat Aziz and his troupe will perform at a musical concert organized by the Indian Embassy at the International Indian School, Riyadh (Boys Section), on Tuesday.
"This musical program, the first of its kind in which a living legend like Aziz will enthrall the audience, is open to Indian nationals only," said embassy spokesman Surinder Bhagat yesterday.
Bhagat urged those who have applied for entry passes to collect them from the embassy if their names appear on the guest list published on the embassy's website (www.indianembassy.org.sa).
They can collect their entry cards today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., informed Bhagat, adding huge crowds are expected to attend the event and hear the celebrated ghazal and playback singer of India.
Bhagat said Aziz started his journey some 30 years back. He took his initial training in music from Kirana Gharana and was trained by stalwarts like Ustad Samad Khan and later by Ustad Fayaz Ahmed, who were famous classical music singers of Asia. After his initial training, Aziz learnt music from maestro Mehdi Hassan and shared the stage with him on many occasions.
Aziz has composed music for TV serials and also acted in several TV programs. He is credited with singing ghazals in films like “Umrao Jaan” and “Bazaar”, which were super-hits. Aziz has been performing in concerts all over the world and has mesmerized the audience with his melodious voice through the years. Aziz, whose versatility is evident from the sufi number "Damadam Mast Kalandar," has many albums to his credit.
Between 1979 and 1984, Aziz was the top artist recording for Music India Company. In 1984, he joined HMV. He also worked with Venus Records for a brief period and then released albums with Universal Music India. His popular film songs are "Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein" from Umrao Jaan; "Phir Chhidi Raat Baat Phoolon Ki" in Bazaar; "Aaina Mujhse Meri" in “Daddy” and "Na Kisi Ki Aankh Ka," in “Shararat.”