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‘Hot’ classics
For Karachi music lovers, the launch of the Karachi chapter of the All-Pakistan Music Conference (APMC), earlier this year, has been an unexpected boon. Aside from the elaborate programmes organized at its inauguration, the APMC has already arranged two baithaks (as their musical sessions are called) and is all geared for the third, also scheduled for July.
The second baithak, held at the Karachi Arts Council auditorium, featured classical vocalist, Ustad Zafar Ali Khan Sahib and Pride of Performance recipient, Tina Sani. With two such esteemed personalities in the world of local classical music performing on one platform, the night promised to be an entertaining one.
To set it off on the right foot, the event started on time — a very unusual phenomenon for music programmes. Ustad Zafar Ali Khan, an accomplished teacher hailing from the Gwalior gharana, held the audience’s rapt attention for an hour. He was appreciated by everyone, particularly for his renditions of raga jaunpuri, raga kidara and raga behag. His alaap was exquisite as well and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the tapa, an unusual form of singing, to say the least.
The most fascinating of all was Khan Sahib’s rendition of Saigol’s famous ghazal, ‘Jhulna Jhula’, which he sang to illustrate how ghazals were derived from ragas and how this particular ghazal was a slight variation of ‘raga jaunpuri’
Perhaps the most fascinating of all was Khan Sahib’s rendition of Saigol’s famous ghazal, Jhulna Jhula, which he sang to illustrate how ghazals were derived from ragas and how this particular ghazal was a slight variation of raga jaunpuri.
After a 20-minute interval, the much-awaited Tina Sani took centre-stage. Beginning with a warm introduction of her musicians on the sarangi, tabla, harmonium and flute, she opened her performance with Bahaar Aaye. Dipping largely into her repertoire of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ahmed Faraz’s poetry, she sang many popular ghazals. Among the ones rendered by Tina that evening were Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi, Mere Humsafar, Mere Humnawa and Barson Kay Baad Dekha, Aik Shaks Dilruba Sa.
A special mention here of the flutist, Abid Ali, the youngest of Tina’s musicians. He is simply superb and managed to engage everyone’s attention prior to the rendition of the ghazals with his dexterous command over the slender instrument.
Although the programme was a delightful one and universally enjoyed by all, there is no denying that it was not the most comfortable of experiences. It was a hot evening and the huge hall is extremely inadequately serviced by three or four split air-conditioning units that are virtually ineffective when the room is full, as it was that night. There are no ceiling fans and the wall fans — those that are working — are in no position to alleviate the heat in a substantial way. Considering that the auditorium is an excellent one and could be put to a lot more use if only a little expense is incurred on its upkeep, here’s wishing that the managing committee of the Arts Council will take some desperately needed steps in this direction.
Nevertheless, there were many who braved the heat and sat through till the very end. The availability on the premises of an exclusive CD honouring the famous Pakistani ghazal singers of yesteryear made the event even more enjoyable.
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