Sudha Malhotra's Khwaab Tha . . .

Maybe not a recognizable name today, but when Sudha Malhotra first appeared on the Hindi Film Music scene, she was considered a possible competition for the Mangeshkar sisters. Its seems that she eventually became more memorable for being involved with Sahir Ludhianvi, one of India's most respected poets and lyricist, than for her singing. As noted by Khushwant Singh,

Sudha Malhotra’s name was linked with Sahir correctly. Sahir had gone out of way to promote this upcoming singer. She ditched him. When Sahir caught a glimpse of newly married Sudha Malhotra at a party, the immortal lines “Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jayeen hum dono” flashed across his mind. 

(Link: Tortured Soul) 

I personally could never find anything unique about her voice or her delivery but one of the songs rendered by her has been in my "absolute favorites" list since the first time I heard it on a five-CD-set titled "Gazal Ka Safar". I think all Gazal lovers have this collection. I found myself playing this song on repeat for many days. For what its worth her voice quality gave this nazm that nostalgic feel that the lyrics demaded. The music is mesmerizing but the lyrics/poetry is what will remain with you ... Somewhere in the middle of the day today, I found myself wondering  --- maah tha ki saal thaa kya tha? Thank God for google!

Here is Sudha Malhotra singing this song for a BBC Special:

Khwab tha ya Khayal tha kya tha 

hijr tha ya wisal tha kya tha 

chamki bijli si par na samjhe hum 

husn tha ya jamal tha kya tha 

jis ko hum roz-e-hijr samjhe the 

mah tha wo ke sal tha kya tha 

`Mussafi` kal jo chup sa baiTha tha 

kya tujhe kuch malal tha kya tha