“I perform with full heart and honesty,” says Shehzada-e-Ghazal ‘Jazim’ who is set to perform in Australia this September

By Nidhi Kumari

With over 20 years of experience  that boasts of having Asha Bhosle, Jagjit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Gurdas Mann, Sonu Nigam, Daler Mehendi and many more biggies on their show, Cinestar Events Australia Presents Shehzada-e-Ghazal ‘Jazim’

Hailing from a small town to becoming the prince of Ghazal, Jazim Sharma spoke to Indus Age as he is all prepped to immerse his Ghazal fans with his melodious and heart touching voice this September. Excerpts:

At such a young age, you possess high skills and knowledge of Ghazal and perform like a veteran. What do you have to say on that?

I feel, I have been fortunate. This is the result of the blessings of my parents, love of my friends and above all God.

In this age when young singers are attracted to high beat singing style; you chose the classical Ghazal genre of singing. What attracted you to this form?

I started to learn singing since I was 5. My Guru Ji Late sh.Vijay Sachdeva Ji taught me the nuances of music and I completely owe my singing to him.

With time when I heard some of the legendary Ghazal singers such as, Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan Saab, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Jagjit Singh, I was enticed by these legends.

I started reading and listening to Ghazals. I would spend hours listening to shayaris and practice as much as I can, that’s how my interest developed.

How do you see your journey since you started till date?

I come from Bhatinda, a small town in Punjab. I feel all the dreams that I dreamt of are coming into reality. My hard work is bearing fruits. Uparwale ki duaein, ashirwad se ye sab possible  ho paya hai (all this is the blessing of the lord). The almighty is giving me opportunities just as I wished for. I can’t thank Him enough for it.

Your voice penetrates straight to ones heart. What is the secret behind your magical voice?

(Smiles..) It is the love and kindness of the people who listen to me, mai toh keval ek zariya hun (I am just a medium). All of you who give me so much of love and admiration, I cannot express it my feelings on that.

What are the aspects and approaches you follow while performing on stage or while you are recording for playback singing?

It completely depends. When I am performing on stage, I just want to perform for the audience, improvise on the basis of how the audience responds. The ultimate motto of this is to entertain, for all the love they bestow upon me. They come and spend their valuable time and my aim is always to keep them entertained and win their hearts.

As a playback singer, knowing the music director’s vision and thought is important in transforming words into melodious, meaningful words. The delivery is in accordance to the same.  Since I am going to present my debut as a music director soon comprising Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Vishal Dadlani in it. So, I am able to kind of understand that.

What’s the reason behind your humbleness?

Smiles..Humanity teaches us to be humble and grounded that’s it. All the legends we’ve grown up listening to and the amount of hard work, riyaz they’ve done cannot be matched. I can just say that I perform and continue doing my work with full heart and honesty and take inspiration from the legends and work hard without letting anything get into my head and stay grounded always.

You will be performing in Australia. Is there any special preparation that you’re doing for it? What all the audience can expect at your gala performance in Australia?

This is my maiden visit to Australia. I am looking forward to it. I am very excited. I am thankful to cinestar events Australia for the opportunity. I am very excited, muje music ke chahne walon se rubaru, mukhatir hone ka mauka mil ra hai, sirf cinetstar ki wajah se (I am getting the opportunity to meet the Ghazal lovers only because of Cinestar). I will give my best to entertain the audience. I will touch upon all genre of music from Bollywood, sufi, ghazal to folk and present glimpses of it all.

Any particular Ghazal that’s very close to your heart?

There are many but one which is coming in my mind right now is of Mehdi Hassan written by great urdu poet Ahmed Faraz Sahab is:

“Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye;

Aa fir se muje chodd ke jaane ke liye.”

What do you have to say on your association with Cinestar Events Australia, one of the best organising events here?

I have known Yogesh (Sharma) Ji since I was in Sa Re Re Ga Ma Pa. Yogesh ji too loves ghazals. We have known each other since 2012 and we have been planning for this concert since then. I am fortunate to be associated with such an amazing organisation. The preparation is in full swing, I hope everything goes well.  I am really thankful to him for finally making this happen.

Message for Ghazal fans in Australia:

You are welcome to our show and I hope we give you all a memorable time.

About Shehzada-e-Ghazal Jazim

Given the title ‘Shehzada-e-Ghazal by Zee-TV reality show called Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (2012), Jazim Sharma, being among the top five finalists, is the most promising Ghazal singer of Generation-Next. He has been a Gold Medalist in National Youth Festivals. After completing Graduation, Jazim did Sangeet Visharad in Music Vocal and then Masters in Music from the University of Mumbai. His musical journey started under the guidance Late sh.Vijay Sachdeva Ji * kirana gharana*.at the age of 5… During his performance in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Jazim’s talent was appreciated by eminent Music stalwarts like Shankar Mahadevan, Hari Haran and Vishal Bhardwaj. He then got his debut song in a Bollywood film of Vishal Bhardwaj, entitled Dedh Ishqiya. A few more Film songs have been sung by Jazim since then. He is also given music in a forthcoming film entitled Siyalkoti, being its Music Director. Jazim has recently completed recording of his Solo Ghazal Album, based on the poetry of ‘Meeta’ Parsuram. This album in which he has both composed and sung all the Ghazals, is scheduled for release in September 2015. His Singles like Bismillah, Pyar ka Afsana and Intazar are already hits. Having done a large number of Ghazal concerts in India and abroad, Jazim is the most promising hope for the future of this traditional Genre of poetry called the Ghazal. ‘Suno Tum’ is Jazim’s Debut Solo Ghazal album based on Ghazals/Nazms written by Janaab Nida Fazli. Jazim has composed and sung this poetry with the same sensitivity with which they have been written.

Jazim Sharma, with his unique combination of the traditional and the contemporary, is the youngest Ghazal singer who promises to attract youth to this finest Genre called Ghazal. His Classical training in Ragas is visible in his compositions which are melodious and soulful. Jazim’s compositions connect with one’s soul and his USP is to improvise and present the same Ghazal each time according to the mood, emotions and the ambiance! Each composition of Jazim falls on one’s ears as soft as the touch of love in one’s heart.

To book tickets visit: https://drytickets.com.au/event/rendezvous-with-jazim-ghazal-night/