ViV, I prefer to spell it 'ghazal' because that is what is widely in use in the countries of it's origin and elswhere. Gazal and gajal are just the alternative spellings of the same thing. Thank you for the link to an interesting article. Ghazal, having been a successful bridge between music and the literary poetry, draws it's power from both of these sources. It may be true for non-ghazal lyrics as well. However, ghazal happens to have a rich tradition established by classic poets and musicians from Hindustan which still goes on. I have often heard and experienced myself that there is a huge difference in pleasure between reading a ghazal from the printed paper and listening to the recital, with or without tarannum (laya halera). Aba professional singer le gaaune kura ta ke bhanirahana parchha ra. Even reciting a ghazal to an individual and in a group (Musha'ira) is not the same. Let me share my experience. I have a Nepali friend where I work. I had recited one of my ghazals to him and his reaction was so so. But when I recited the same ghazal in DC for a larger group of poets along with my friend, he was blown away and said he did not have realized what a powerful stuff he was listening before. Hmmm.. May be it was the atmosphere. However, I can tell this. Since ghazal heavily relies on symbols and metaphors for expression, the larger the audience, the more complete it gets interpreted, perhaps. Talking about the delight of listening to the recital of ghazal, here is a sample of a ghazal recital by my favorite shayar, Khumar Bara Bankvi. I don't understand all of the shers. But even then, I enjoy them all the same. ( - http://www.urdulife.com/mushaira/mushaira.cgi?kb_g6 ) ******************* Thank you, Hareeb, for your encouraging words.