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A maestro remembered
The tranquil night, the balmy breeze, the distant, glimmering stars and the safe environs (which have now become a must) of a golf club transformed the weary Karachiites present into a receptive and appreciative crowd. The occasion was a programme held in honour of the late Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, the sixth in a series of tributes initiated by the Indus Television Network.
The presence and performances of three generations of gifted singers from the famed Patiala gharana cast a spell on all present. Hamid Ali Khan, Asad Amanat Ali, Shafqat Amanat Ali and the pick of the brood, the ‘Raga Band’ of the four sons of Hamid Ali Khan, who entertained the house with their excellent vocals, were the chief performers from the family. The other singers who rendered their vocals were Tina Sani, Fariha Pervaiz and Faisal Lateef.
The presence of three generations of gifted singers from the famed Patiala ‘gharana’ cast a spell on all present. Hamid Ali Khan, Asad Amanat Ali, Shafqat Amanat Ali and the pick of the brood, the ‘Raga Band’ of the four sons of Hamid Ali Khan, rekindled the flame of the magical songs of Amanat Ali Khan
The show-reel that was presented served as a sketch of the life and work of Amanat Ali, as told by celebrities from the fields of music and literature. Amanat Ali was known for his association with great artists of his time from both the fields, and his interest reflected in his choice of ghazals, his impeccable expression and remarkable compositions. Thus, stalwarts like Muneer Niazi, Kishwer Naheed and S.M. Shahid spoke of Amanat Ali’s art and artistry. Khalilullah Farooqui’s script and Faizan’s voice-over kept pace with the singers. However, the views and sentiments of certain speakers fell short of the audience’s expectations when they failed to highlight the person that was Amanat Ali and gave very generic views on his art only.
The programme was directed by Najm-uz-Zaman who, it must be said, keeps his eye on the details. The programme lasted for two hours. White was the chief colour which was highlighted and subdued alternately according to the songs.
The greatness of an artist of Amanat Ali Khan’s class and calibre is difficult to capture. Some of the remixes were unable to do justice to the maestro. Perhaps it is better to leave some of the classical songs alone rather than make them mediocre with modern music. What was also jarring to the ears was the loud music which tended to drown out the voices of the singers. All said and done, the programme had its memorable moments.
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