Shilpa Rao on Why Ghazals Are Like Oxygen | Music Beyond Bollywood | Rekhta Guftugu

Shilpa Rao on Why Ghazals Are Like Oxygen | Music Beyond Bollywood | Rekhta Guftugu Ghazal Meri Zaroorat Hai Shilpa Rao & Syed Mohd. Irfan . For Shilpa Rao, ghazals are as essential as oxygen. They remain a personal need beyond recording schedules and film assignments. In this conversation with Syed Mohd. Irfan, she reflects on the people, practice, and patience behind her singing journey. Starting with “Javeda Zindagi” from “Anwar,” the discussion explores how her understanding of music has changed over time. Shilpa recalls Shankar Mahadevan’s advice to begin with advertising jingles. Expressing emotion within a few words taught her the precision that studio singing demands. She explains how a microphone reveals mistakes and why quiet days offer valuable time for reflection and riyaaz. She also remembers growing up with classical music, thumri, and the voices of Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hassan. Their influence continues to shape her relationship with ghazal singing. The interview includes brief renditions of “Gulon Mein Rang Bhare,” written by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, and “Anjuman Anjuman Shanasai.” Shilpa closes by discussing her ghazal recordings and welcoming honest feedback from listeners. . Chapters: 00:00:00 Shilpa Rao’s Musical Journey 00:00:46 Learning Patience and Humility 00:02:39 Shankar Mahadevan’s Jingle Advice 00:04:09 Daily Life, Quiet Time and Riyaaz 00:05:58 Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hassan’s Influence 00:07:49 Gulon Mein Rang Bhare 00:08:50 Anjuman Anjuman Shanasai 00:09:42 Following Mehdi Hassan’s Music 00:10:49 Ghazals Are Like Oxygen 00:11:35 Ghazal Recordings and Listener Feedback . About Jashn-e-Rekhta Jashn-e-Rekhta is the world’s largest cultural festival celebrating the beauty, depth, and living spirit of the Urdu language. Held annually, it brings together poets, musicians, writers, thinkers, and artists from across the world to create a space of poetry, music, conversations, and storytelling. From soul-stirring mushairas and spellbinding musical evenings to intimate dialogues and immersive cultural experiences, the festival is where language turns into emotion and heritage finds a contemporary voice. More than a festival, Jashn-e-Rekhta is a movement that keeps Urdu alive, relevant, and deeply connected across generations. . #shilparao #ghazal #shankarmahadevan #mehdihassan #begumakhtar #jashnerekhta #playbacksinging . About Rekhta Foundation: Rekhta Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the Urdu language and its rich literary and cultural legacy. Through digital archives, learning platforms, publications, festivals, and community initiatives, the Foundation works to make Urdu accessible and meaningful for audiences worldwide. By bridging classical traditions with modern platforms and voices, Rekhta Foundation ensures that the language continues to inspire, connect, and evolve with time. . IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Rekhta Foundation. All rights reserved. Unauthorised downloading, clipping, re-uploading, or reuse of this content (audio/video/visuals) is strictly prohibited without written permission. . External Links: Website: https://rekhta.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jashnerekhtaofficial/ Rekhta Books: https://rekhtabooks.com/ Rekhta Learning: https://rekhtalearning.com/