Pakistani ghazal legend Ghulam Ali and well-known Indian singer Suresh Wadekar lamented the lack of focus on meaningful and soulful music in India today.
The musical greats will be coming together on one stage for the first time at the Sham-e-Ghazal concert at Logan Hall in London on Friday.
Unveiling plans for a focus on the works of great poets like Mirza Ghalib and Mir Taqi Mir as part of the event, both singers stressed on the importance of preserving the rich heritage of the sub-continent.
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"We seem to be in hurry nowadays. A classical music base will always be crucial to create meaningful music that has the ability to touch the soul," Ali told reporters at a preview press conference here.
"The media has the power to change things with the power of the pen. I first came to perform in London in 1974 and I keep coming back because of the love of the really true listeners here. Floods and storms of quick hit songs will come and go but only true quality has staying power," he added.
His views were echoed by Wadekar, who has balanced his classical music career with a few songs in Bollywood films over the years.
"Classical music is our true culture. Our guru-shishya culture needs to be nurtured. Only dancing to a song for one night is not enough. A song has to stir your soul and should have an effect on you even tomorrow," Wadekar said.
"Once a song like 'Munni badnaam' is popular, others want to cash in on similar profits. Our films also only have a situation for item songs now, with very little connection with the plot line. The problem is no one complains about the wrong kind of songs," he added.
The two musicians will be joined by Wadekar's student and wife, Padma, as they take a journey down memory lane at the sold-out show on Friday.
