KARACHI, March 3: The Manzar Akbar Hall of the Arts Council reverberated with the tuneful sound of Sitar as the music programme of the ongoing Baithak series got under way on Sunday night.
Introducing the musicians, the chairperson of the music committee, Azra Riaz, said the Arts Council had joined hands with Mauseqaar, an organization of amateur singers, to promote good music. She added that Sitar would be played by Sajid Ali and Tabla by Umaid Ali.
Veteran singer Salamat Ali told Dawn that Sajid was an experienced Sitar player who had initially learnt how to play the instrument from his father, Ustad Fida Hussain who had worked for years with Radio Pakistan. He had also learnt Sitar, which is believed to have been invented by Hazrat Amir Khusro, from Ustad Raees Khan.
Sajid opted for Tilak Kamod raag of the Khamaj thaath which is the favourite raag of Thumri singers. The Vadi Sur, or the most dominating note in a Raag, of Tilak Kamod is Gandhar, and its Sumvadi Sur, or the second important note in a Raag, is Nikhad. In Tilak Kamod, six notes are used in Aarohi (ascending notes) and seven in Avrohi (descending notes).
Both Sajid and Umaid cast a spell on the audience as they indulged in what is known as Jugalbandi. Theirs was easily the most appreciated performance in the programme.
The second most competent performer at the music programme was Dr Shamsunissa, daughter of Pir Ali Mohammad Rashidi. A student of Salamat Ali, she enlivened the function with her Ghazal singing. She sang the Ghazals of Hasrat Mohani (Dekhna bhi tau unhain door say dekha karna/shaiwa-e-ishq nahin husun ko ruswa karna) and Dagh Dehlawi (Khatir say ya lehaaz say main maan tau gaya/jhuti qasam say aap ka imaan tau gaya). She should also be appreciated for her refined choice of Ghazals.
During her performance, harmonium was played by Fahim and violin by Salim Sharif. The keyboard was operated by Azhar Hussain.
Introducing Ghulam Nabi Morai, the former secretary of the Arts Council, Saifur Rehman Grami, said that most singers at the function were amateurs who did not seek money like professional singers. He added that most Mauseqaar singers were actually members of the Council.
Ghulam Nabi sang Jab say too nay mojhay diwana bana rakkha hay/sung har shakhs nay haathaun main uttha rakkah hay, which had originally been sung by the leading sufi singer, Abida Perveen. The song was composed by Niaz Hussain and written by Hakim Nasir.
His second performance, Anokha laadlaa khailan ko mange chand had originally been sung by Bilqees Khanum.
Amin-e-Ajam, secretary of Mauseqaar, and Dr Sara Khan also performed at the function.
