‘Zikr Tera’ (2015), the eight-song album of Roop Kumar Rathod and Sunali Rathod features a variety of ghazals. His ghazals are known for their meaningful lyrics, beautiful melodies and captivating vocals.
One of the standout tracks on the album is “Haathon Mein Haath”, a melancholic ghazal with a slow and calming tempo. Roop Kumar’s soothing vocals are perfectly complemented by Sunali Rathod’s depth and smoothness. The apt arrangements further elevate this ghazal, making it one of the most touching and poignant ghazals to have been released in recent years.
Another highlight of the album issue “Zaroorat Uski”, a beautiful tribute to Jagjit Singh. The arrangements and orchestration are very similar to Jagjit Singh’s ghazals style, simple and minimalistic yet efficient. The first flute interlude is particularly beautiful. Rathod’s vocals are at their best on this track, as he meticulously transforms the poem into an extravagant ghazal outing with lasting appeal.
While some fans may be disappointed that there are no duets on the album, ‘Zikr Tera’ is still a must-listen for any fan of ghazals. The Rathod-duo has delivered a collection of beautiful and meaningful songs that celebrate their love for each other and their respect for Jagjit Singh.
“Aur Kuch Din” is a song with a familiar sound, mostly due to its filmy feel. Despite this, Sunali delivered an exceptional performance. Her voice is the focal point of the song and she hits the high notes with ease. The solo violin added to the right ambiance in the second interlude. However, the musical arrangements take a backseat in this song and do not help to blend the tune with the depth of Sunali’s voice.
The song “Paron Ko Khol” begins with a mesmerising guitar and solo violin prelude, followed by the powerful vocals of Roop Kumar. It is a classic in the making, engaging the listener from its first note and transporting them to a musical heaven. The superlative vocals and exquisite tune are the main highlights of this song, which is further enhanced by the beautiful piano interludes and soft orchestral arrangements. The singer displayed a wide vocal range throughout the ghazal and expresses his emotions perfectly, especially in the second ‘antara’. The only downside is the abrupt ending.
“Sawaal Sabne Kiya” is a light and breezy ghazal with a smooth flow and a thin tune. Roop Kumar sailed through effortlessly, allowing listeners to appreciate his soulful voice in a relaxed mode. Despite the good intentions, the ghazal falls into average territory, mostly due to its short duration, below-average arrangements and half-baked interludes.
“Abr Guzra” is a rich and complex ghazal, sung with panache by Sunali. Her high-pitched rendition in the ‘antaras’ is particularly noteworthy. The harmonic and rhythmic complexity is handled by the carefully interwoven arrangements, which tremendously move the ghazal forward without overshadowing the magical vocals.
“Meri Chaadar Tha” is a deep ghazal with a mysterious and intriguing prelude. It is beautifully knitted with selected tabla beats, peaceful flute interludes, powerful ‘antaras’ and poetry. Roop’s voice is the main instrument in this piece and the top-notch arrangements allow it to shine, resulting in an outstanding song.
The album ‘Zikr Tera’ is a lush and beautiful ghazal excursion. It is a tribute to the legendary Jagjit Singh and Rathod’s influence is evident in the slow-paced and melancholic track “Zamin Ko Aye Khuda”. However, the album also features a variety of other moods and tempos, from the light and breezy “Sawaal Sabne Kiya” to the powerful and expressive “Haathon Mein Haath.”
Rathod is a prolific ghazal composer and his skills are on full display on this album. The songs are well-written and feature meaningful lyrics. Rathod’s vocals are also excellent and he is able to convey a wide range of emotions throughout the album.
One of the highlights of the album is the song “Abr Guzra”, sung by Sunali. Her high-pitched rendition in the ‘antaras’ is particularly noteworthy. The song also features beautiful and complex arrangements, which complement Rathod’s vocals perfectly.
Overall, ‘Zikr Tera’ is a well-made and enjoyable album. It is a must-listen for any fan of ghazals.
