Taking time out of their busy schedule, stopping their car on way to Delhi, the Wadali Brothers spoke to t2 about their music, Calcutta and more before performing at the Emami Cultural Fiesta. 

Welcome back to Calcutta. What memories do you have of the city?
Oh, Calcutta is a very warm city. It is a culturally aware city. We had performed in Calcutta four or five times. It was long back, can’t recall the years. Sonu Nigamji had taken us to your city. We performed at a number of venues and loved the audience. Well, it is a well-known fact among musicians that Calcutta has one of the best audiences in the country. It is also home to some of the best musical talents. We are happy to be back! 

One thing about Calcutta you still cherish?
That has to be Kalighat. Jai Kali Kalkatta Wali! It is our great luck that we could pay our homage to the goddess. 

You are popular for your Sufi kalaams and Sufi qawwali. What is the difference between the two?
We sing kalaams (lyrics) written by some of the greatest exponents of Sufism such as Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Baba Bulleh Shah and more. These are spiritual songs steeped in bhakti (devotion). Bhakti karne wale haathon ke likhe hue kalaam hain yeh…. Qawwali, on the other hand, is primarily songs sung by qawwals — people who sing the utterances of the prophet.

What are the most requested songs at your concert?
It depends on the audience. Some ask for only Sufi kalaams, devotional songs, while others ask for Bollywood numbers. Tu maane yaa na maane dildara, Asade tenu rab manya, Damadam mast kalandar, Naina de buhe, Tujhe takiya to laga mujhe aise are usually some of the most-requested songs at our concerts.

Your latest work in Bollywood?
We did two songs (Waris Shah nu and Darda marya) in the film Pinjar, the song Rangrez in Tanu Weds Manu, and Ik tu hi tu hi in Mausam (2011).

Besides Sufi, what other music do you listen to?
We generally listen to Punjabi folk music and Indian classical music. Nothing else. Aur kuch sunne ko dil nahin karta.

Who are your favourite classical singers?
There are so many gems in the world of classical music. Kitne saare shaastriya sangeet kalakar hain... kiska naam bataaun. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is one of our favourites, especially so because he also belongs to the Patiala gharana. We also love listening to Ustad Barkat Ali Khan, Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan, Zahida Parveen, Roshan Ara Begum, Pandit Jasraj. There are many more artistes whom we love listening to.

Any favourite from the current generation of singers/ musicians?
Not much. We prefer listening to the elder generations. These days, the quality of music has degraded. Sab milke nahin sun sakte hain, zyada dance dikhate hain... the music has taken a backseat for today’s generation. It is more about packaging.

What instruments do you use the most at your concerts?
We use harmonium, dholak and tabla. 

Which is your favourite place for a concert in India? 
There is no such place in particular. Jahan sunne wale ho, wahin achchha lagta hai. The audience makes a venue good or bad for the artiste. Calcutta is known for having a very good audience. We hope to make them happy with our performance. Please do come.

Sibendu Das