Baithak ft. Talat Aziz 2026

Baithak ft. Talat Aziz 2026 brings one of India’s most celebrated ghazal singers to Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre in Garhoud, Dubai, on Saturday 5 December, for an intimate mehfil of timeless ghazals, nostalgic classics and a special tribute to the legendary Mehdi Hassan. Guests can choose traditional Baithak style floor seating or chairs, which gives the evening the feel of a private music gathering rather than a conventional concert.

Talat Aziz: four decades of ghazal

Born in Hyderabad in 1956, Talat Aziz trained in the Kirana gharana tradition under Ustad Samad Khan and later Ustad Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan, and also learned from Mehdi Hassan himself, performing alongside him in concerts in India and abroad. His first album, Jagjit Singh Presents Talat Aziz, was released in 1980, and within two years he had sung on two of the most admired Hindi film soundtracks of the era, Umrao Jaan (1981) and Bazaar (1982).

Across a career spanning more than four decades, his soft, elegant voice and refined musical expression have kept him at the centre of the ghazal world. He is best known for evergreen renditions such as “Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein”, from Umrao Jaan, and “Ab Kya Ghazal Sunaoon”, the kind of cherished classics this evening is built around.

A tribute to Mehdi Hassan

What makes this edition particularly special is a dedicated segment honouring Mehdi Hassan, widely known as the Ghazal King. For Talat Aziz, this is personal: Hassan was one of his teachers and stage companions. Hearing a student interpret his mentor’s most cherished compositions gives the tribute a depth that a standard cover set could not match, and it is likely to be the emotional centre of the night for many in the audience.

What a Baithak evening feels like

Baithak is a concept by Showoff Entertainment: a specially curated mehfil series in which each edition features different artists, bringing together melody, lyrics and composition for true listeners of music. The idea is that guests can sing along, simply listen, or let the music heal them, in the spirit of the small, close knit gatherings where ghazals were traditionally performed.

• Seating: a mix of traditional Baithak style ground seating and chairs, with chairs available for everyone who prefers them
• Allocation: seating is first come, first served
• Dress code: comfortable clothing, in keeping with floor seating
• Food and drink: available à la carte at the venue; alcohol is served only to guests aged 21 and over
• Age: open to all ages

Doors open at 7pm and the performance starts at 9pm. Because seating is first come, first served, guests who want a particular spot on the floor cushions or close to the stage will want to use that two hour window.

Getting to Le Méridien Dubai

The hotel sits on Airport Road in Garhoud, close to Dubai International Airport. Find out more on our Le Méridien Dubai venue page. Parking at the hotel is limited and offered through Self Park only, with RTA parking also available nearby. If you are driving, take Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), use exit 58 for D70 towards the airport, continue onto Casablanca Street and take the D89 ramp. Bus 33 stops at Cargo Village Gate, about a nine minute walk away, and taxis or ride hailing apps are the simplest choice for most guests.

Who will enjoy it

This evening is made for lovers of Urdu poetry and classic ghazal, listeners who grew up with Umrao Jaan and Bazaar, and anyone who has admired Mehdi Hassan’s recordings. It is also an easy choice for families, since all ages are welcome. For another Indian music evening in Dubai, see Saaz Baithak with Sawai Bhatt on 21 November.

For more live music, browse our concerts in Dubai, see things to do in December, or explore more things to do in Dubai.