The prestigious event “Timeless Ghazals with Shoeb Mortoza” took place in a grand manner at Hammerson Hall, a renowned Living Arts Center in the Greater Toronto Area on the 31st of August. This exceptional event featured a solo performance by the incredibly talented ghazal artist, Shoeb Mortoza. The spellbinding allure of Shoeb Mortoza’s music drew audiences from Toronto and its neighboring cities, despite other notable free events taking place in the region on that day. The sheer magnitude of the crowd that gathered at the mehfil demonstrated the profound impact of Mortoza’s music, leaving the artist and organizers deeply moved.
In addition to Shoeb Mortoza’s mesmerizing vocals, the performance was enhanced by a six-member instrumental ensemble, each boasting a wealth of accolades not just in Toronto or the GTA, but on a global scale. The ensemble featured renowned artists such as tablaist Derrick Jayakaran, whose four decades of experience lent an exquisite depth to the performance. Rupatnu Sharma, with nearly thirty-two years of experience as a keyboardist, brought an unparalleled musical finesse to the stage, having represented Bangladesh across the globe. Furthermore, guitarist Joy Sarkar, acclaimed for infusing traditional songs with a Western flair, captivated the audience with his artistry. Bass guitarist Jacob Thomas and flutist Basu Bisht added a touch of melodic magic, captivating the entire auditorium with their skilled performances. The ensemble was rounded off by the masterful percussionist and drummer, Alex Mohan, whose rhythmic beats enlivened the entire program over the course of three and a half hours.
In light of the overwhelming response and the audience’s deep appreciation, Shoeb Mortoza expressed his desire to make “Timeless Ghazals” a recurring event, emphasizing the importance of keeping the ghazal art form alive. The event was a true celebration of music and culture, leaving a lasting impression on all those in attendance. The event was made even more vibrant with captivating performances of popular songs such as ‘Ghata Ko Julf Likhna’, ‘Peer Kiya To Dar Na Kiya’, and ‘Ghungru Tut Gaye’, accompanied by a mesmerizing dance display by the accomplished artist Ittela Ali. Ittela has honed her skills in Kathak dance under the guidance of the renowned dance maestro Shibli Mohammad for many years. Her dance education also includes training in Bharatnatyam and Bengali creative folk songs, adding depth to her artistic expression. Ittela is a cultural ambassador for Bangladesh, and her influence extends globally, as evidenced by the establishment of I M Creative Lab in Toronto.
The event was hosted by the writer and media personality Tasmina Khan and Kamini Singh. The entire evening was alive with their performance. The presenter conducted the program fluently in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and English languages to successfully connect with the multicultural audience. They captivated the audience with their ability to interact and connect with the audience.
In a captivating and soul-stirring event, Shoeb Mortoza skillfully paid homage to the rich repertoire of Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib by opening with Omar Khayyam’s timeless ‘Rubaiyat’ and seamlessly transitioning into a succession of other iconic ghazals. Drawing from the immense musical legacy, Mortoza’s performance included haunting melodies by legendary artists such as Pankaj Udas, Jagjit Singh, Mehdi Hassan, and Hari Haran, transporting the audience on a journey of emotional depth and musical brilliance. The event truly celebrated the enduring beauty and profound impact of ghazals from the Indian sub-continent.
An incredible collaboration of sponsors from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds has united to bring the enchanting ‘Timeless Ghazals with Shoeb Mortoza’ event to life. Their seamless partnership has elevated the status of music beyond geographical and cultural boundaries. This momentous event received generous sponsorship from Ride-Alike, Poppy’s Art of Cooking, YCP Media, Ameer’s, Sharmin Sharif from EXP Reality Brokerage, Nargis Sultana from Reality Twenty-One, Sandeep Kumar from Augmentor’s Career & Business Hub, Barrister Meena Patel, Amra Bangladeshi Canadians (ACB), Bangladeshi Food Lovers in Canada (BFLC), and Fireflies by Laboni. The event was organized and supervised by Lisa Shoeb, the wife of Shoeb Mortoza. JBR Events managed the event, with Masala TV and NRB Television serving as media partners.
As the clock struck 10:30, Shoeb Mortoza was determined to stick to the schedule and finish the show on time. However, the audience was completely spellbound by the artist’s performance, and they fervently requested him to sing two more songs, even though it meant going beyond the agreed time limit. Finally, Shoeb brought the program to a close with a mesmerizing rendition of the song ‘Chandi Jayasa Rang Hai Teri,’ fulfilling the audience’s request. Satisfied and euphoric, the crowd left the venue, their voices echoing with the chorus of that unforgettable song. After the event, all the attendees of ‘Timeless Ghazals with Shoeb Mortoza’ left the venue expressing their desire for more such ghazal evenings.
Scarborough, Canada
