Ghazal singer croons for 24 hours

AGRA:In a rare feat, city-based ghazal singer Ranjan Deb Nath crooned for 24 hours to promote the unique form of singing.

"This is my humble way of promoting this beautiful singing style which has so many fans and admirers all over the world," Ranjan said after his feat Sunday.

Ghazals are surviving despite the increasing popularity of remixes and pop music because proponents like Ranjan have been passionately devoted to this art form, one who heard Ranjan singing said.

"Ghazals touch the core of the heart. The emphasis is both on the gayaki and the words that stir the soul. Agra has a rich tradition which ought to be preserved and promoted," Ranjan said.

Rajan has been singing ghazals for more than 20 years. On Sunday, he set what he claims to be a new record by singing 125 self-composed ghazals for 24 hours, with only a small break every one hour.

His fans patiently heard him and encouraged him to sing one beautiful ghazal after another. Beginning with "Ram kaho ya Shyam kaho", Ranjan switched over to "Pyar ka Mandir hai Taj Mahal", his recently written ghazal on the Taj Mahal. His tribute to Khwaja Moiuddin Chisti of Ajmer rendered in the rich Sufi tradition evoked all-round applause.