"Ghazal Lounge" is a captivating album that masterfully blends the timeless elegance of traditional ghazals with contemporary musical sensibilities. Released on January 1, 2012, under Virgin Records (India) Pvt Ltd., this album features the enchanting vocals of Roop Kumar Rathod, affectionately known as the "Ghazal King" in India. The album is a collaboration with Abhijit Pohankar, who produced the music, offering a modern interpretation of beloved romantic ghazals originally sung by legends like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, and Farida Khanum.
Spanning just 44 minutes, "Ghazal Lounge" is a concise yet powerful collection of eight tracks that seamlessly fuse bollywood, sufi, hindi pop, and desi genres. Each song, from the poignant "Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo" to the soulful "Ranjish Hi Sahi," showcases Roop Kumar Rathod's flawless vocal prowess and his ability to breathe new life into classic compositions. The album includes both original tracks and an unplugged version of "Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo," providing a diverse listening experience.
Roop Kumar Rathod's rich history in the ghazal genre, coupled with his wife Chitra Singh's renowned contributions, adds a layer of authenticity and depth to this album. "Ghazal Lounge" is not just an album but a testament to the enduring appeal of ghazals in modern times, making it a treasure for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.