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On a spiritual high
During the first week of Ramazan, an evening of classical qawwali took place with Farid Ayaz Qawwal and Hamnawa performing. Ayaz is the son of renowned exponent of qawwali, the late Munshi Raziuddin. The evening began around 11pm, and the scenic view of the venue added to the ambience.
Mehreen Ilahi did her bit for the cause by putting up 10 paintings for sale, so that the proceeds would be donated to the hospice.
The evening started on a serene note with support from over 300 guests present, which included friends of the organization, philanthropists and qawwali fans.
Farid Ayaz performed with great vivacity and fervour, singing continuously for three hours without a break. They started with Sazina, followed by a Hamd-o-Naat, Man Kunto Maula, Amir Khusro’s Nammeedam Ehe Manzil Bud, Chaap Tilak, Mera Piya Ghar Aya, Paro Ghi Diya, Haye Kaise Kate Umariya, Damadam Mast Qalandar, concluding with Rang and Salaam.
Dr Saira S. Khan, the host of the programme, thanked her guests for coming together for an evening of Sufi music which also had a cause behind it. It was a fund-raiser for Rahat Kada, a new hospice for needy terminal cancer patients.
Before the qawwali, an eight-minute documentary film on the facility located in Baloch Colony was shown. The focus of the film was the urgent need to promote much needed early detection programme in Sindh and the whole of Pakistan. Many times, financially weak families who cannot tend to their near and dear ones leave them at the institute. All treatment here is free of cost for the underprivileged cancer patients.
The guests applauded and wanted more, but Sehri was served at 3am. Coloured tasbihs and ittar were distributed to the guests, adding a delicate touch to the celebration of the holy month. Special arrangements were made for morning prayers. All in all, it was a unique evening.
Farid Ayaz Qawwal and brothers have made a name for themselves in Pakistan and abroad. They have been invited to Greece to perform next month. On this occasion, they contributed brilliantly to a worthy cause.
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