A Hindustani classical vocalist on a mission to ensure the 'ghazal speaks not just to memory, but to every generation that listens. Nisschal, by way of weaving Hori, Chaiti, and Kajari lyrics with the modern resonance of piano, string quartets and EDM-infused arrangements, has crafted a path to let the music speak to the youth, while still keeping its emotional essence intact while giving it a fresh, modern pulse.

Its no wonder that in late 2025 he embarked on an India Tour, blending Hindustani classical vocals with a string chamber orchestra.

Born and raised in Delhi, and now based in Mumbai, Nisschal’s musical journey began early, steeped in the poetry of Ghalib, Faiz, Faraz, Dagh, and Farhat Shahzad, and rooted deeply in the purity of the Hindustani classical tradition. 

His taalim has shaped him into a grounded yet fearless artist. He trains under Pt. Dayal Thakur of the Patiala Gharana, known for its powerful gayaki and emotive depth. He also trains to refine his craft further under Pt. Shirish Shah. Nisschal has previously trained under Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan of the Kirana Gharana, learning the intricacies of Hindustani Classical Music.

He enhanced his musical vision with Western classical piano training at the KM Music Conservatory (founded by A.R. Rahman) and the Los Angeles College of Music, where he explored sound design, global music sensibilities, and performance artistry.

With over 100 original ghazals (including Kar Qubool and Kabhi Kaha Na Kisi Se in Raag Miyan Malhar) and a repertoire of 200+ compositions, Nisschal has also lent his artistry as a composer to Bollywood films and has performed alongside legends such as Talat Aziz, Javed Akhtar, Kavita Seth, Shreya Ghoshal, Papon, and Dr Deepak Chopra, earning both critical acclaim and heartfelt audience connection.

Nisschal believes “A ghazal is not just to be sung. It is to be lived, with every pause, every note, every breath.”

More than a performer, Nisschal is a storyteller who invites his audiences into a space of reflection, romance, and resonance. His audiences have ranged from music lovers to cultural connoisseurs and from college students discovering ghazals for the first time to masters like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who gave him a standing ovation.

In an exclusive interview with Verus Ferreira he shares his musical journey.

How do you bridge the gap and get Gen Z to listen to Ghazals while keepipg the traditional core intact?

Ghazals don’t need reinvention, they need rediscovery.The format stays, the poetry stays, because the emotions are timeless.Gen Z is more ready for ghazals than ever. With Instagram full of poetry and shayari people love it. I simply make it accessible to today’s audience.

Tell us a bit about your musical journey and how you got into singing Ghazals.

I started learning music at the age of six with Hindustani vocal and tabla and that foundation stayed with me. I later pursued music at the Los Angeles College of Music and spent some time producing and DJing as well. But eventually ghazals found me again. Not as a choice but as a calling, something I was always meant to return to.

Who would you say is your guru when it comes to ghazals and taking you onto the world stage?

I train under Pt. Dayal Thakur and his guidance has been central to my journey. He’s helped me understand not just the music but the depth, discipline and poetry behind it and to see music as an extension of imagination.At the same time I’ve been deeply influenced by all kinds of music, from classical and thumri to western music and film scores and I continue to learn from them in my own way.

What is your live performance on stage like? Have you tried collaborations with different and out of the box musicians?

Music becomes meditation when I perform. People who have attended my concerts tell me they have heard ghazal for the first time but it will linger with them forever.Each performance is a collaboration with the artists. Each ghazal performance has a new fragrance because the raga might be same but the presentation always differs.

On that note, who would you like to collaborate with from India and overseas?

I’m less driven by names and more by intent. I’d want to collaborate with artists who understand stillness and emotion in music. I would like to collaborate with some jazz root artists or some film composers who can give the form a different depth. In India, definitely, artists from the classical field like Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt or from Bollywood AR Rahman, internationally someone like Adele.

You have a musical foundation rooted in Hindustani classical as well as Western classical music with piano. How do you fuse both these genres into your music?

The notes are the same whether it’s music of Africa America Europe or India. We have the same exact notes and only thing is different music has different ways of embellishing and ornamenting these notes. Western music has harmony and Indian music has glides and slides. When we collaborate as artists we just go with instincts and feel. That’s primary. What feels good and pure. What sounds pleasing is generally good.

Tell us something about your project ‘Whispers of the Infinite’ that unites ghazal with orchestral arrangements.

I believe in naad and how sur goes to naad when we meditate deeply with the notes.Whispers of Infinite shows how music can be as soft as a whisper and travel beyond boundaries.

How did you conceive ‘Whispers of the Infinite’? What were the thoughts behind bringing an Indo-fusion collaboration?

My fascination for orchestral music and film scores has a key role in the ideation of Whispers. People like John Williams.You have performed at some of the most historic venues across the country.

Which venue is the most memorable and why?

I love the venues in Delhi. Be it IIC or Siri Fort or even a small intimate gathering at a farmhouse. Nehru Centre in Mumbai has also been very powerful, the stage, the audience, the magic.

Have you worked on any Bollywood projects?

I have been a part of over 250 films through my studio Enzy Studios. We’ve done projects from Indian film industry as well as Grammy winning albums.Personally I have composed for films like ‘Jia aur Jia’ and ‘Boy in Bollywood’. I have also collaborated with Dwayne Bravo for Chennai Super Kings track. Apart from that I have produced classical music including one of Pt Jasraj ji’s last bhajans. I have got the honor to collaborate with artists like Shreya Ghoshal, Neeti Mohan, Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Ali, Rashid Ali and many more.

According to you, what should someone take away when they listen to your ghazals?

One of the most memorable moments from one of my concerts was that there was a 6 yo girl who couldn’t stop crying during the concert and her mother specially came up and told me this.Ghazal can make you feel many things, the way a certain sher can remind you of something is certainly your own story. But music overall can move mountains, after each concert if I can affect even one person through my music that’s a win. A feeling of stillness calm and thehrav in this world of chaos.

What are your future projects in the pipeline?

I have an upcoming India tour and am planning an international tour and most looking forward to my album releasing next year.

Photos: Courtesy of the Artist

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira