Songs from a rainy day. Begum Akhtar - Ghazal cha rahi kali ghata, jiya mora

a wonderful ghazal sung by begum akhtar in her inimitably unhurried style (i end up saying that every single time i post something by her here)- it is a source of unending wonder for me how her renditions managed to undulate so naturally, and conclude so appropriately that the effect is never jarring. this particular ghazal, chaa raahi kaali ghata i was reminded of when reading monsoon yearning, on indianraga. i think i prefer this particular clip (even though tragically cut short) over the one posted at indianraga though. the lyrics are an orinthologist's dream the dulcet koel and the papiha (whom the british somewhat unromantically christened the brainfever bird) both feature, and in the backdrop the dark, ominous clouds of the rainy season emerge, bittersweet despite the respite (you see what i did there?)  they bring, a conflict that isnt lost on the poet. in any case ill stop my pompous rhetoric now. enjoy