‘Marasim’ is an Urdu word which means ‘connections’ and that’s what the album does. It makes connections between memories and melody (its tagline is ‘Memories woven in melody’). It makes connections between tender singing and sublime poetry. And it makes connections between two giants – the late, Jagjit Singh, the finest Ghazal singer of our times and Gulzar, the finest poet of our times. As one would expect the result is pure magic.

Musically, the album is in the classic, never goes wrong genre called Jagjit Singh. The man continues the tradition of stellar albums like Mirza Ghalib (once again with Gulzar) and Kahkashan (works of modern Urdu poets, steered by Ali Sardar Jafri).

Poetically, it’s a little more interesting. The Gulzar that you find here isn’t the Bollywoodesque, experimental Namak Ishq Ka kind. The Gulzar that you will get here is the classical Urdu poet, following all the rules of the game and delivering gold, while doing so. And then, the love for some play, makes him break the rules. In his expressive voice, he recites the offbeat material in between the Ghazals, which becomes the unexpected delight of the album.

For those, who are new to the concept of a Ghazal, here is a quick capsule on it. It’s an Arabic / Persian word that means romantic, poetic talks, not necessarily, but usually about unrequited love. It has its rhyming couplets with a meter and a refrain. These couplets are independent on their own as well as a part of the total Ghazal. Which means that in totality it’s a cohesive poem but each couplet is a complete entity on its own.

Coming back to ‘Marasim’, while the entire album is brimming with brightness, I shall take some of the shinier material. For example, the last but one Ghazal of Side A, Aankhon Mein Jal Raha hai Kyun, wherein the poet is writing about the connections between ‘eyes’ and ‘smoke and ‘tears’. Consider this couplet from where the name of the album comes.

Aankhon Se Aansuon Ke Marasim Puraane Hain

Mehmaan Ye Ghar Mein Aayein To Chubhta Nahin Dhuan

The eyes and the tears, they have old connections

When eyes host them (tears), smoke becomes less painful

The last Ghazal of the side is a tad playful

Woh Khat Ke Purze Uda Raha Tha with gems like,

Wo Umr Kam Kar Raha Tha Meri

Main Saal Apne Badha Raha Tha

While He (Lord) was busy lessening my life

I was busy increasing the experience in my years

Side B opens up with the famous and beautiful Shaam Se Aankh Mein Nami Si Hai, which was also sung by Asha Bhosale in RD Burman and Gulzar’s album, ‘Dil Padosi Hai’. And then the tales of loneliness continue with every subsequent Ghazal. One of the most poignant couplets are from the second Ghazal of this side, Zindagi Yun Hi Basar Tanha.

Apne Saaye Se Chaunk Jaate Hain

Umr Guzri hai Iss Kadar Tanha

I get startled by my own shadow

That’s how lonely my life has been

And then the last Ghazal of the album, Din Kuch Aise Guzaarta Hai Koi, which puts an indelible stamp on loneliness, the central mood of the album.

Aaina Dekhkar Tasalli Hui

Humko Iss Ghar Mein Jaanta Hai Koi

Felt relieved after looking at the mirror

At least someone knows me in this house

While all this is happening, the master poet keeps dropping gems in his own voice every now and then. Consider this.

Tumhare Gham Ki Dali Uthakar

Zuban Pe Rakh Li Hai Dekho Maine

Ye Qatra Qatra Pighal Rahi Hai

Main Gatra Qatra Hi Jee Raha Hoon

Look dear,

I have kept the leaf of your pain on my tongue

Little by little it keeps melting

Little by little I keep living

If you are a lover of Ghazals, ‘Marasim’ should definitely hold a prominent place in your collection. On certain quiet evenings, it can gently connect you to that emptiness in your soul. And trust me, you will feel good about it.

Rating: 4.5/5

Genre: Ghazal

Label: Sony Music Recording engineers: Daman Sood, Avinash Oak and Uday Chitre

Year: 1999

LP Courtesy: Sony DADC

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com