Vipul Nayak and Jagjit Singh

They say music knows no borders. That’s why Ranchi choreographer Vipul Nayak will pay tribute to ghazal legend Jagjit Singh through dance.

The event at Khel Gaon in Hotwar on October 14 will see Nayak perform on Mirza Ghalib’s ghazals sung by Jagjit Singh. The 45-minute dance drama will be staged by a 30-member dance troupe with support from state art and culture department and Minerva Theatre, Calcutta.

Nayak had earlier impressed audiences with his series of dance dramas based on poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s famous Madhushala collection and Indian author Bhikari Thakur’s novel Radhe-Shyam.

Talking to The Telegraph, Nayak said this particular dance drama will fuse kathak and ghazals. “The influence is very Mughal. We will perform nine popular Ghalib ghazals sung by Jagjit Singh. We are rehearsing day and night,” he said.

A Jagjit Singh fan, he said event was a labour of love. “With his mellifluous voice, Jagjitji captured the hearts of millions. Even in death, he is immortal,” Nayak said.

Nayak and his troupe will perform ageless compositions like Dil-e Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai and Baat Niklegi to Phir Door Talak Jayegi.

Costumes will also be a throwback to the regal age of Ghalib that the ghazal maestro brought alive so effectively. “Trope members will be attired in achkan and churidar embellished with sequins and zardosi. We want to transport audiences to another era,” he said.

Assistant director of state art and culture department Vijay Paswan said he would support the programme as it would translate into a memorable tribute to Jagjit Singh. “We look forward to host cultural evenings with the help of well-known singers, choreographers and dramatists,” Paswan said.

Nayak, who trains 500 students at his institute Deepanjali near Karamtoli Chowk, is also eyeing his presentation of Madhushala in December at Khel Gaon and a festival in Kochi in January 2013. In the first week of November, they will come up with an event Mitti Ke Rang. “We are not just giving scope to folk artistes here but also to those in Manipur and Assam, among others,” he said.