KARACHI, Feb 20: The 400-plus audience at the Arts Council went into raptures on Wednesday evening over painstakingly kept recordings of 86-year-old collector Mohammad Lutfullah Khan as he took out one voice after another from his treasure trove, as it were.The otherwise well-attended function started at least an hour late as the two main speakers chose to show up late. Highlighting the various dimensions of Madrasi-born collector, presenter Fatima Hasan read out a paper, titled Aik Dukan Sab Sey Alag. The title of her paper was inspired from the oft-quoted couplet of Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali, Shaher Main Kholi Hey Hali Ney Dukan Sab Sey Alag, she said.
Ms Hasan said the library of Lutfullah Khan contained no fewer than 5,000 voices. “These records are well catalogued and readily accessible. He has painstakingly recorded these voices over the past 50 years. He has, indubitably, spent a good deal of time and money on his hobby.”
The first recording of the evening was recitation from the Holy Quran with the English translation by orientalist Prof J.A. Arbery. The translation was read out by the former director general of Radio Pakistan, Rasheed Ahmed. The audience became spell-bound as an Egyptian Qari recited the opening verses of Sura Baqr.
The second piece was a Naat recited by Mehdi Hasan. “In 1960, Radio Pakistan started the chorus Naat recital and pioneering work was done by none other than Mehdi Hasan,” explained the collector.
In connection with the death anniversary of Mirza Ghalib — which fell on Feb 15 — Lutfullah Khan played translation of Ghalib’s work, done by the late Prof Ahmed Ali. The Manzar Akbar Hall resonated with appreciative cries of the audience as broadcaster Z.A. Bokhari read out Hawas Ko Hey Nishat-i-Kar Kya Kya/Na Ho Marna To Jeney Ka Maza Kya in his low-pitched voice.
The audience again gave a thunderous applause as blind vocalist Bano crooned Hasrat Mohani’s ghazal, Aur Bhi Ho Gaey Begana Woh Ghaflat Kar Key/Azmaya Jo Unhain Tarkey Mohabbat Kar Key.”
Lutfullah Khan played snatches of conversation between Rasheed Hasan Khan and Khaliq Anjum, secretary of the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Hind. He also played a ghazal by Dagh: Khatir Sey Ya Lehaz Sey Main Maan To Gya/Jhuti Qasam Sey Aap Ka Eiman To Gya.
The recording of Radio play, titled Lighthouse Key Muhafiz, also drew a big applause from the audience. The play comprised only two characters, played by Z.A. Bokhari.
Mahmood Sham, Shakil Adilzada and Jamil Jalbi also spoke on the occasion.
