MUMBAI: Well-known ghazal singer Alhad Kashikar recently launched his first album with Times Music titled ‘Nida between the Lines’. The album is a culmination of late Shayar and Urdu Poet, Nida Fazli’s poetry.

Kashikar, a disciple of Pandit Bhavdeepji Jaipurwale has composed many ‘Ghazals’, written by eminent Shayars like Janisar Akhtar, Bashir Badra Badra and others in the past. This time he chose to sing Nida Fazli’s poetry.

Kashikar says, “Nidaji is known for his commitment to humanity and the common man and his style of writing is simple. So, one would understand his poetry. But at the same it is very philosophical and have tremendous depth. This is why I chose to select his poetry for this album.”

The late poet was aware of Kashikar’s plans for his poetry -- Fazli's poetry has earlier been sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, Hariharan, Gulam Ali among others. “He was very serious about the process. He heard all the compositions very carefully and gave suggestions to me. It was only after his approval that I went ahead and recorded. In fact, he heard the Ghazals even after recording.”

Unfortunately, Fazli was not around for the launch of the album. This put more responsibility on Kashikar’s shoulders. But overall, the process was effortless for him. “I love his poetry and his style is so natural that it appeals to me. In fact composing his Ghazals was an effortless job for me.

One can expect meaningful poetry, simple compositions and soulful music from this album, according to Kashikar. Something that Times Music noticed in the album and agreed to sign on the deal. “I went to Times Music when I had decided to work on Nidaji's poetry. They liked the concept and launched the album. This is my first association with Times,” avers the Ghazal singer who also befriended Fazli over the years.

The singer also translated the late poet's book ‘Tamasha Mere Aage’ in Marathi. The book is a compilation of Fazli’s article for BBC Urdu. “He was very senior to me, but he was very friendly to young poets like us. We discussed a lot about literature, poetry, and socio-economic issues,” shares Kashikar.

Kashikar’s next album ‘Insaniyat’ is set to launch soon. It has Ghazals of Shayars like Bashir Badra, Janisar Akhtar and Nida Fazli.