A Symphony of Legends: Hosting the Divine Artistry of Ahmad Hussain-Mohammed Hussain

By Onkareshwar Pandey

"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart." – Pablo Casals

The timeless allure of ghazals has found its celestial voices in Padma Shri Ahmad Hussain and Padma Shri Mohammed Hussain. Hailing from Jaipur, the city of royalty and culture, their artistry transcends the ordinary, weaving poetry, melody, and spirituality into an exquisite tapestry of Indian classical music.

To welcome these living legends into my home was not merely an honor—it was a consecration, a moment suspended in eternity.

Ahmad Hussain and the Timeless Voyage of Ghazals

The musical journey of Ahmad Hussain and his equally illustrious brother Mohammed Hussain began with unparalleled dedication and an insatiable pursuit of excellence. Their decision to master Sanskrit alongside Urdu exemplifies their embrace of India’s rich and diverse cultural fabric—a harmony mirrored in their compositions.

Their ghazals, including "Main Hawa Hoon Kahaan Watan Mera" and "Chal Mere Saath Hi Chal, Ae Meri Jaan-e-Ghazal," resonate across generations. Yet, it is their ethereal rendition of "Ae Sanam Tujhse Main Jab Door Chala Jaunga" in Raag Shivranjani that elevates their craft to a spiritual realm, evoking the universal sorrow of separation with haunting beauty.

Beyond Ghazals: Devotion in Every Note

The genius of Ahmad and Mohammed Hussain extends far beyond ghazals. Their foray into devotional music—seen in masterpieces like Amar Vani and Ganpati Vandana—demonstrates their extraordinary versatility. Whether singing the intimate longing of a ghazal or the soulful reverence of a bhajan, their voices carry a divine resonance that transcends boundaries.

The Veer-Zaara Connection: Classical Nuance Meets Cinematic Grandeur

Their artistic brilliance left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with their rendition of "Aaya Tere Dar Pe Deewana" in Veer-Zaara. This iconic track epitomizes their ability to blend classical purity with cinematic elegance, cementing their legacy in the annals of Indian film music.

Music in My Blood

Music flows in my veins—not just through my wife, Vijaya Bharti, a celebrated folk singer, or my son, Bhavya Raj, an emerging Pop-Rock-Sufi sensation, but also through the enduring legacy of my late father, Ram Suresh Pandey. A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, my father was a man of many gifts—author, scholar, musician, and passionate music lover. His magnum opus, Ravana Charit Manas, showcases his literary brilliance, while his musical talent as a singer and instrumentalist was equally remarkable.

Though journalism charted my professional path, music has been my silent sanctuary, a bond connecting me to my roots and my father’s luminous legacy.

An Evening of Enchantment

To host Ahmad Hussain and Mohammed Hussain was to enter a realm of divine inspiration. Their presence imbued our home with an aura of warmth and reverence. My wife, Vijaya Bharti—a folk maestro and an A-Grade artist fluent in 18 Indian languages—joined the maestros in an extraordinary confluence of voices, creating moments of pure magic.

The evening’s crescendo was my son Bhavya’s heartfelt performance, which struck a chord with the legendary guests. Their encouraging smiles illuminated the promise of a new generation dedicated to the sanctity of music.

As the night unfolded, it became a celebration of artistry and shared humanity. Over a sumptuous vegetarian feast lovingly prepared by Vijaya, stories flowed like timeless ragas, connecting hearts through the unspoken rhythm of music.

A Token of Reverence

In a gesture of gratitude and admiration, Vijaya presented Ahmad and Mohammed Hussain with her eight anthologies of poetry—humble offerings to these guardians of melody. Their blessings and gracious acknowledgment of her work lent a sacred glow to an unforgettable evening.

This night will forever remain a luminous chapter in my life—a meeting of not just artists but kindred spirits united by the transcendent power of music.