‍With cultural cooperation between China and India thriving in recent times, music has been building a bridge between the two neighbors. Two ancient civilizations known for being the bedrocks of grand culture, great tradition and rich heritage have already made an indelible mark in world music on their own. 

Indian music has become increasingly popular in China, and the country is all set to welcome renowned Indian ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas. The maestro is scheduled to perform in three cities – Shanghai (on December 14), Yiwu (December 15) and Guangzhou (December 16).

Just before embarking on China for his first performance in the country, Udhas told CGTN, "It's indeed a pleasure to come back to China again. I was always fascinated by the Chinese culture, Chinese music, and its people. It was back in 2005 when I decided to tour China with my daughter and wife. We went around China and traveled from Beijing to Shanghai to Guangzhou to Shenzhen during that sojourn. It was a great holiday trip to China and since then I wished to return to China."

Udhas, 67, has been one of the most popular ghazal singers in both India and Pakistan and has lent his voice to some blockbuster Bollywood tunes of the 1980s and 1990s.

"A few weeks back, when I got an invitation to perform in a few concerts in China, I immediately decided to let the Indians and Chinese in these cities enjoy my music. I am really looking forward to entertaining my music lovers and fans in China," he said.

In 1984, Udhas was one of the first Indian singers to perform live at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall. He has taken part in numerous global tours over the past few decades and has just returned after melting the hearts of music lovers in Australia where he performed at five concerts in as many cities "Down Under." 

The Indian singer sounded excited ahead of his much-anticipated tour and said, "I have come here for sightseeing before. This time I will surely get another opportunity to see around, learn more about China and also meet new people in this beautiful country."

Ghazal, a form of amatory poem or ode with its root traced back to the 7th century Arabic poetry, has been a popular genre for the soft music lovers across India and Pakistan and has often been understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. 

Despite its ancient origin in Arabia and flourishing across Persia in the medieval centuries, through the pens of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, Amir Khusrow, Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan Ghalib in both Urdu and Farsi languages, the soulful and sentimental genre was largely popularized for the masses in the second half of the 20th century. A number of exponents like Noor Jehan, Farida Khanum, Amanat Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan and Ghulam Ali from Pakistan and the likes of Jagjit Singh, along with Udhas from India, brought ghazal from the obscurity of royal courts to the forefront of vocal music in the Indian subcontinent. 

Along with Ali, Hassan and Singh, Udhas with his soothing voice and pleasant demeanor played a massive role in catapulting ghazal to the highest echelons of world music. 

"Since I have been performing all over the world, my fans and their adulation for my music have been motivating me for the past few decades and China will be no exception. It would be my pleasure to sing for the Chinese music aficionados in their home country," added the Indian singer.

(Top photo: Indian Ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas poses during the launch of his album "Khamoshi Ki Awaz" in Mumbai, November 7, 2014. /VCG Photo)