Talat Aziz’s ‘Homecoming’ Performance at Hyderabad Public School’s Centenary Celebrations

In Hyderabad to attend the centenary celebrations of Hyderabad Public School, renowned Ghazal Singer Talat Aziz, an alumni of the 1972 batch, cast a nostalgic spell on the audience. He performed classic renditions such as “Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Na Karo.” This was his third visit to the school in the last 38 years, having previously graced the Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Under a full moon at picturesque Begumpet campus, the school’s Open Air Theatre was filled with whistles, applause, and “wah-wahs” from the audience during his performance, as he delivered soul-stirring renditions like “Gesuon ki shikan hai abhi shabnami Aur palkhon ke saye bhi madhosh hai.”

Additionally, he performed “Phir chidhi baat phuloon ki,” a duet he first sang with Lata Mangeshkar, and shared memorable experiences from their recording sessions, before singing a Ghazal by Begum Akhtar, with lyrics penned by Shakeel Badayuni, for “Mere humnafas mere humnawa, Mujhe dost banke Dagha na de.”

In a departure from traditional performances, Talat Aziz’s ‘homecoming’ performance at Hyderabad Public School was characterized by witty responses to audience appreciation and occasional injections of humor. He even engaged directly with the audience, walking among them, and encouraging them to sing along with him. Some of his former teachers who once taught him were also in attendance.

Earlier in the day, he visited the school campus, retracing his steps to the classroom where he sat as a student in the 1972 batch. With nostalgia in his voice, Talat Aziz shared his experiences and held the audience captivated for over two hours.

Nawab M.A. Faiz Khan, Vice President of HPS, spoke at the event, reflecting on how the school, founded by the Nizam of Hyderabad, has produced legends from its inception in 1940 to contemporary global leaders such as Shantanu Narayan and Satya Nadella, among many others.

To commemorate the occasion, the school board presented a silver memento to Talat Aziz. Before Talat Aziz took to the stage, HPS students enthralled the audiences with their performances.

Talat Aziz was accompanied by a talented troupe of musicians, including Jitu Shankar on Tabla, who has been with the group for 35 years, Azhar Warsi on keyboard, Iqbal Warsi on violin, Ratan Prasanna on guitar, Imran Khan, and Sharma.

Update : This article has been updated on 31-10-2023 to include photos.