My Music...
It was the 'summer of 1972', Venue: Miranda House Auditorium, Delhi University, sound floating through the air- 'Aye mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya......' I can still hear it running deep in the background.
And there I was, 17 year old, bell bottom clad, guitar toting Beatles fan...
That evening and that very concert (my first ever) was 'the defining moment' where time stood still, in fact its still frozen inside my mind and it changed my life forever... I lost myself, heart and soul to Begum Akhtar, the legendry ghazal queen, who later became 'Ammi' to me. Her voice, those lyrics, that smile, that dazzling diamond nose pin, the unkempt hair, the smoke from her cigarette....I was mesmerized. I couldn't get that evening out of my head. What ensued were sleepless nights where her voice and words, all reverberated in my mind over and over again. I was possessed. Then began my search for all her records and recordings and for "Ammi" herself! All it took was that one meeting. Then began a long battle with my parents to allow me to pursue music as a career. I found a maestro “Ustaadji” to learn classical music. But it couldn’t stop there, I needed to learn urdu as well. It was imperative for me to understand the finer nuances of the ghazals to which I was now addicted.
That first encounter with Begum Akhtar gave a new meaning to my life and was the beginning of my journey into the world of Shayari, Mausiqi and Urdu....
Mere Alfaaz Meri Awaaz
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Lyrics by Minu Bakshi
"Mere Alfaaz Meri Awaaz" is a collection of some of Minu Bakshi's favorite ghazals. These selected pieces, written by Minu, are sung in her own voice with music composed by Ustad Abdul Aziz Khan Sahab. The melodies are enchanting and resonate deeply with listeners.
Phir Se
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Lyrics by Hafeez Jalandhari, Kedar Sharma, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Mirza Ghalib, Sahir Ludhianvi
The album "Phir Se" was the realization of a dream project where Minu sang the works of her favorite poets, making the album timeless and immortal. Her golden voice, combined with the enchanting tunes and tracks, mesmerizes and transports listeners to another dimension.
Dr. Karan Singh, the guest of honor, launched Minu Bakshi's Ghazal album "Phir Se" in the capital. With this album, Minu paid her tribute to all her favourite poets.
Rab Ranjha
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Lyrics by Ajay Jhingran, Surinder Sagar, Minu Bakshi & Satish Sharma
"A Sufi Landscape - Rab Ranjha" primarily features Sufi songs, with Minu Bakshi collaborating directly with music composer Satish Sharma. Many of these songs, spanning from the past to the present, remain fresh and timeless, with the potential to be used as playback music in the future.
Tishnagi
Sung by Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khan
Lyrics from Minu Bakshi's book of Ghazals, Tishnagi - The Thirst
When the renowned Ghazal singer Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan expressed his desire to sing from Minu Bakshi's book "Tishnagi - The Thirst," this album was born. The selected songs transport listeners to a realm of peace and serenity, evoking a Sufi-like tranquility.
SHABADS BY MINU BAKSHI
Minu's father had a beautiful voice and would sing shabads and scriptures every morning, leaving a haunting impression on Minu with his melodious renditions. Minu inherited his voice and was his favorite child. Raised in a deeply religious Sikh household with a small Gurudwara at home, the family adhered to the ritual of praying twice a day. This environment inspired Minu to teach herself Gurmukhi, enabling her to read the Guru Granth Sahib and memorize scriptures and shabads. Consequently, Minu developed a profound sense of religiosity and spirituality.
Sahib Mera Meharvaan
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Written by the Sikh Gurus
"Sahib Mera Meharvaan" marks Minu Bakshi's debut album dedicated entirely to shabads written by Sikh Gurus, reflecting her lifelong devotion to religiosity and spirituality. This album features two significant shabads, "Sahib Mera Meharvaan" and "Thir Ghar Baiso," both of which hold important places in Sikhism.
Chaupai Sahib Path
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Written by the Sikh Gurus
Minu Bakshi’s humble rendition of the Chaupai Sahib Path, a prayer composed by the great spiritual leader and warrior Guru Gobind Singh Ji, holds special significance. The Chaupai Sahib, a part of the daily Sikh prayers (Nitnem), offers protection and security. It is a prayer imbued with positivity, hope, and optimism.
Mittar Pyare Nu
Sung by Minu Bakshi
Written by the Sikh Gurus
Minu Bakshi beautifully sings the deeply moving shabad "Mittar Pyare Nu Haal Mureedan Da Kehna," composed by the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This shabad was recited in the Machhivara forest during a time when the Guru was separated from everyone, except for his unbreakable connection to God.
Ik Onkar
Sung by Ustaad Shafqat Ali Khan
Written by the Sikh Gurus
"Ik Onkar" symbolizes the One Supreme Reality. Minu Bakshi performs this beautiful composition by the Sikh Gurus with an earthy and soothing voice that perfectly complements its devotional essence, making it a pleasant and uplifting listen.