Prevalently though, one hears tales of its desuetude and neglect. But contradicting this generalization is the maestro nonpareil Talat Aziz who feels that ghazal singing is going through a vibrant period and even its relevancy in this age and day has been reoriented. And perhaps the artiste is right, what with numerous ghazal mehfils gathering tide in the city.

"Ghazal singing has substance in its poignant verses which is what tided it through tough times," feels Aziz, "A capable and appealing presenter is all that it needs." Unquestionably his 29 years of experience have bestowed Aziz with both depth and versatility in his chosen field.

Aziz made his ghazal debut in 1979 alongside Jagjit Singh and has had Mehdi Hassan as his Ustad. His euphonious voice and his command over subtleties in ghazal have made him a prominent figure. Coming from an artistically inclined family, Aziz has always been involved in the propagation of art.

Currently busy with his music albums, Aziz, along with other singers, is hoping to initiate a movement for trained youngsters and give them a huge platform to present their talents. "It is important to keep the tradition alive," he explains. Here in the city on Sunday for his live concert organised by Jazzmatazz, Pune for him is the hub of art and culture.