NEW DELHI: Leading music label, Universal Music India today announced the launch of Ghazal Master, Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khan’s latest album “Kahun Aur Kya” at India Islamic Center, New Delhi.

“Kahun Aur Kya”, a collection of five Ghazals and a Nazm, captures the sensuous yet sensitive spirit of Sufi poetry. The Ghazals all rendered in Khan’s soulful voice, are accompanied by the recitation of a Nazm from acclaimed psychologist and Ghazal writer Ameeta Parsuram “Meeta”, who has also penned poetry for the compilation. With an iconic blend of Shafqat’s poetry and music, the album is sure to touch the hearts of a million Ghazal lovers across the world.

Performing since the age of seven, Khan’s musical prowess was first noticed at the Lahore Music Festival. Ever since he has continued to attract attention with his singing world over. Being the youngest son of legendary singer Ustaad Salamat Ali Khan, Shafqat belongs to a 500-year lineage of musicians from the Shamcharasi Gharana, famed court musicians to the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Having being decorated by one of the highest civilian honours in Pakistan, Shafqat is counted among the country’s leading vocalists. Today, after many awards, accolades and recoginitions, Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khan stands as a classical singer of International repute.

Commenting on his new release with Universal Music, Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan said, “To sing Ameetaji’s ghazals gives me a lot of joy, sometimes words have a melody hidden within them. Her ghazals have guided me in my composition and her words have given it rhythm. I have absorbed your words into my soul and gotten lost in them. When words and rhythm combine, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty. Music is the bridg between hearts, the language of rhythm is universal.”

“As Shafqat listens to the first Ghazal, he closes his eyes and starts humming a tune within a few minutes. That is how spontaneous he is, the Raagdari, years and years of Riyaz and a deep, soul-link to Ghazals is what makes Shafqat the most natural Ghazal singer as of this moment. It was an elevating experience to see my Ghazals getting transformed into something ‘divine’ and ‘sensuous’ at the same time, with the dimension of Mausiqi given by Shafqat” said Ameeta Parsuram.

Speaking on the release of the new album, Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director, Universal Music/EMI Music, South Asia said, “We are extremely proud to be associated with Shafkat Ali Khan on the “Kahun Aur Kya” project. It’s a unique and an outstanding album that sees Indian Classical maestro Shafkat Ali Khan for the first time seamlessly embrace the world of Ghazals. This a truly a landmark album and one that’s a must not just for every Shafkat Ali Khan fans but also for the legion of Ghazal fans for who this album is an absolute treat! We at Universal Music India will extend all the possible marketing, promotion and distribution support to ensure that this album becomes a `classic’ and will withstand the test of time”

“Kahun Aur Kya” is available in both physical and digital platforms across all leading music stores.