Mohammad Wakeel's Voice Leaves Jaipur Spellbound as 'Veer-Zaara' Qawwali Sets the Hall on Fire
One moment the auditorium fell into pin-drop silence, moved by a ghazal dedicated to a father's memory. The next, the same crowd was on its feet, swept up by a qawwali from "Veer-Zaara." What unfolded at Jawahar Kala Kendra on Sunday evening was a musical rollercoaster nobody saw coming — and one that kept the audience hooked till the very last note.
Ananya soch: A grand Ghazal Evening at the Rangayan Auditorium, Jawahar Kala Kendra, turned into an unforgettable blend of music, literature and raw emotion on Sunday at 7 PM. Renowned Bollywood Ghazal Singer and All India Radio Top Grade artist Mohammad Wakeel held the packed auditorium spellbound with his soulful voice, classical depth and signature style of expression. Every single performance was met with thunderous applause from an audience that filled the hall to capacity.
Drawing on nearly 35 years of musical dedication, Wakeel brought to life a series of ghazals exploring love, longing, and the deeper layers of human relationships, blending the nuances of classical ragas with a distinct Sufi touch. The evening's most emotional moment arrived when he dedicated Dr. Bashir Badr's timeless ghazal, "Ye Kasak Dil Ke Dil Mein Chubhi Reh Gayi," to the legendary poet himself — a tribute so heartfelt it left the room in stunned silence.
That was followed by a deeply moving nazm written by celebrated poet Shakeel Azmi, dedicated to fathers everywhere. The verses struck an emotional chord, leaving many in the audience visibly teary-eyed, with applause echoing through the hall long after the performance ended.
Just when the mood turned reflective, Wakeel flipped the script — his rendition of the Rajasthani folk classic "Kesariya Balam" injected fresh local flavor into the evening. Things hit a peak when the popular qawwali from the film "Veer-Zaara" got the entire audience swaying and clapping along, turning the auditorium into a celebration.
Adding texture to every note were the accompanying artists — Gulzar Hussain on violin, Sujata Mothia on sitar, Meraj Hussain on tabla, and Rahbar Hussain on keyboard — whose seamless coordination elevated each performance. The evening was elegantly hosted by Anamika Anant, whose warm, literary style kept the audience engaged throughout.
