LAUNCH OF GULZAR AND BHUPINDER’S NEW ALBUM “SURMAYI RAAT”
Gulzar and Bhupinder’s album “SURMAYI RAAT” was launched at hotel Novotel, Juhu in Mumbai on July 16, 2013. The evening started with the launch of the album by wordsmith Gulzar, Bhupinder Singh and Mitali Singh, followed by a compelling live performance by Bhupinder and an unforgettable poetry recitation by Gulzar. The album features the unparalleled voice of India’s most multi talented musician, Bhupinder. Best known for singing immortal jewels like Beeti Na Bitai Raina, Naam Gum Jayega and Ek Akela Iss Shehar Mein, Bhupi, as he is popularly known is back with Surmayi Raat to gift us pure musical pleasure.
In this album, Gulzar Sahab has penned the lyrics yet again. With Bhupinder’s music, it’s been
conceptualised by one of the most talented female performing artiste over the last three decades for Ghazals and Geets, Mitali Singh. It consists of different shades of the night. Each song, be it a Ghazal or a Nazm, is a complete story within itself. It has total 8 songs – Hawa Guzar Gayi, Tinka Tinka, Raat Bhar, Aaj phi Chaand Ki, Ik Raat Chalo, Surmayi Raat Mein, Thodi Si Kuchch, Pahadon Pe Kal Shab. The album is produced by Saregama India Ltd.
Gulzar Sahab said, “I love nights. But they fly away. I pinned some in poetry, but they wouldn’t survive without the legendary voice of Bhupi.”
Bhupinder said, “Surmayi Raat…Bas ek hi raat ki kahani hai… Magar dil kehta hai ke… Ye kahani kabhi khatm hi na ho… Well, that’s the magic of Gulzar Sahab’s poetry.
About Bhupinder Singh: Bhupinder is among India’s most loved voices in films and also in the ghazal world. As Bhupinder Singh says that his childhood obsession was ghazal only. In his teens he used to pick up poetry from magazines & newspapers, compose them, and sing for his friends, in Delhi. Later he joined All India Radio in Delhi as a musician & singer. At that time All India Radio was celebrating the anniversary of the greatest poet Bahadur Shah Zafar, where Bhupinder recorded Zafar Sahab’s ghazal Lagata Nahin Hai Ji Mera Ujade Dayaar Mein, which became an instant hit in Delhi. During that time Madan Mohan the well known music director heard the same ghazal by Bhupinder in a mehfil in Delhi & immediately offered him to sing Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bhulaya Hoga for the film “Haqeeqaat” and the rest is history.
He was welcomed with open arms by all the composing legends including Naushad, Salil Chowdhary, Jaidev, Khayyam, Sapan Jagmohan, Ram Laxman, R.D. Burman, Ravindra Jain, Rajesh Roshan, Vanraj Bhatia, Bappi Lahiri and so on. He has sung some unforgettable songs for each of these composers. Who can forget Dil Dhoondta Hai, Rut Jaawan Jawaan, Naam Gum Jayega, Beeti Na Beetai Raina, Ek Akela is Shaher Mein, Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezaar, Huzoor Is Qadar & various other memorable songs.
Even though he was very busy singing in films, at the same time, from 1965 onwards his passion for ghazals was so strong that he made number of EP’s and LP’s with HMV. The most popular at that time was Aankhon Ka Tha Kasoor Na Dil Ka Kasoor Tha, Aahat Si Koyi Aaye To Lagta Hai Ke Tum Ho. His ghazal albums and his distinctive voice marked a different milestone not only in the film industry but also in the hearts of those listeners, who believed in poetry and good music. Equally proficient as a composer, Bhupinder is also India’s ace guitarist, and some of the most memorable guitar pieces of popular R.D. Burman’s hits have been his unforgettable contribution. Indeed he is unique, as he is probably the only singer, composer, musician- all in one – and will shortly achieve the landmark of a 50 year career.
