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Ghulam Ali is considered to be one of the best ghazal singers of his era. His style and variations in singing Ghazals has been noted as unique, as he blends Hindustani classical music with ghazals, unlike any other ghazal singer. Highly popular in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, as well as among South Asian diaspora in the USA, the UK and the Middle Eastern countries. Many of his hit ghazals have been used in Bollywood movies.

Raga Darbari

The ghazal not only has a specific form but also traditionally deals with variety of subjects and has encountered revolutions over the ages, specially after 1947 there was a drastic change in the subjects of ghazal opted by the Poets.[4] The most prominent subject of ghazal even after the end of romantic era of Urdu literature has been love, specifically an unconditional and superior love. Ghazals from the Indian subcontinent have an influence of Islamic mysticism and the subject of love can usually be interpreted for a higher being or for a mortal beloved. Love is always viewed as something that will complete a human being, and if attained will lift him or her into the ranks of the wise, or will bring satisfaction to the soul of the poet. Traditional ghazal law may or may not have an explicit element of sexual desire in it, and the love may be spiritual. The love may be directed to either a man or a woman.

Hungama hai kyon bar pa, Thodi si jo pee lee hai
Daaka toh nahi daala, Chori toh nahi ki hai

Why is there such a noise (hue and cry), I have just taken a few sips of the (wine of the Lord-Allah)
No one has been robbed, Nor have I committed any theft.

Us mai se nahin matlab, Dil jis se ho begaana
Maqsood hain us mai se, Dil hee main jo khinchti hai

I am not interested in the wine, that the heart is alienated from
My intent is with that wine, that tugs at the heart

Na tajraba-kaari se, vaaiz ki yeh hai baatein
iss rang ko kya jaaney, poochon toh kabhi pee hain

The preacher words are spoken out of inexperience
How will he know the effects of it, someone who has never really tasted wine

Sooraj mein lage dhabba, fitrat ke karishme hai
Butt hamko kahe qaafir, Allah ke marzi hai

Even the Sun is eclipsed sometimes, it is the wonder of nature
The stone idol of God is calling me an infidel, it is God’s will

Har zarra chamakta hai, Anwar-e-Elaahi se
Har saans yeh kehti hai, hum hai toh Khuda bhi hai

Every little particle shines, with the radiance of God
Every breath is an affirmation, that if I exist, God does too



Credit for translation: Urduwalla.