In Alakalkku, a collection of Malayalam ghazals, composer/ singer Shahabaz Aman does differentiate his musical sensibilities, but seems inspired by prolific ghazal experts before him. Three of the tracks – Theeyalakalai; Charadumurinjoru, with Mohanakrishnan Kalady’s lovely lyrics and tunefully the best, Paymaram thakarnna sound straight out of Hariharan’s Hindustani-styled repertoire. Alayothungiya, with beautiful vocals by Gayatri; Rosemary’s soulful, Orila; Makarakkulir, Doore are Ottumurangatha are steeped in the Jagjit Singh school of ghazals. Kadammanitta’s version of Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods is the only track that defines Shahabaz’s own style. If not tune-wise, at least lyrically, Alakalkku is a commendable attempt.
Keywords: Shahabaz Aman, Gayatri, Kadammanitta, Kamala Das, Sachidanandan, Rafeeq Ahmed. D Vinayachandran, Rosemary
