KARACHI, March 30: An official of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, announced that the institution would name its forthcoming music academy after renowned music director Nisar Bazmi in recognition of his lifelong services to the music and film industries of Pakistan.

“We’ll name the music academy, which will start functioning soon, after Mr Bazmi and request the city government to name a street after this great music director, in the area where he lived,” Syed Ahmed Shah, chairman of the arts council’s special events committee, said at a meeting to condole Bazmi’s death on Thursday.

The organisers read a message sent by provincial Culture Minister Rauf Siddiqui and Advisor to chief minister for Culture, Umer Sharif, in which they expressed their profound grief over his death.

Music director Qamar Allahditta said late Bazmi was his teacher, whom he considered a father figure.

Singer Salamat Ali Khan said Bazmi had his own style and demeanour, both in personality and profession, and was one of the music greats of the subcontinent.Ghulam Abbas said Bazmi gave him a chance in the industry and he taught the essence of music to many in the field.

Actors Mohammad Qavi Khan, Khalid Abbas Dar, Arshad Mehmud and singer Mehnaz also spoke.