ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: Beautiful people gathered in a lush green lawn enjoyed the croissants and soft drinks along with superb rendering of Ghazals coupled with the grandeur and architecture of a hotel built with indigenous materials in the most traditional style.

Light breeze, no rain, no humidity — the weather was more than pleasant to say the least. In short, it was a glitzy Ghazal evening set in a traditional style. For a nation obsessed with all things imported, it is refreshing to see people doing Pakistan proud and making a name both on international and local scene.

Masud Khan and Sheelu Khan were the performers of the evening, obliging a request made by the hotel management to entertain the audience who had never enjoyed their live singing. Not keen on too much projection, the couple prefers to keep a low profile and tends to enjoy and understand the art, rather than working on commercial basis.

Having been performing individually since 1974 and as a couple since 1979, Masud and Shelo have performed in various countries and in a number of TV programmes. It was their performance in Islamabad.

The Ghazals were rendered in both traditional and modern style, and the mood was mystic. A local artist, Tahir Mehmood, started the evening with Nusrat Fateh Ali’s Koi To Hai Jo Nizam-i-Hasti Chala Raha Hai. Wohi Khuda Hai. And Mehdi Hasan’s Mujeh Tum Nazar Sey. After the audience warmed up and were all set, the couple appeared and started with Kaisi Mehroomian Kaisi Kausian, Koi Akela Nahi Hai Khuda Saath Hai. They sang the works of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Muzaffar Warsi, and also took requests from the audience who sat listening past mid night.— Huma Khawar