CHAKWAL, Oct 25: Friday night was quite unusual in a city like Chakwal. A living legend of classical music from the famous Patiala gharana, Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, was in town where he captivated his audience with his melodious voice.

The occasion was a musical evening at the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sabit Saboot.

Accompanied by Kalu Khan, the master tabla player and his son Inam Ali Khan, Ustad Hamid Ali Khan began with the famous spiritual ghazal, Yeh zameen Khuda ka hai mo’ajza, pas-e- mo’ajza kui aur hai (this earth is a miracle of God but there is someone else behind this miracle).

The people were seen dropping pieces of papers on the lap of Hamid Ali Khan with requests of their favourite songs and ghazals.

He sang all songs sung by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Bux Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan.

When he sang this famous ghazal Kese guzar gai jawani nah puchiye (how the youth passed, don’t ask) originally sung by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, the listeners were left mesmerised.

Latter talking to Dawn, the living legend expressed his satisfaction over the revival of classical music in the country.

“The past 10 to 20 years were not good but now people are returning to classical music,” he said, adding that whoever listens to classical music has an extraordinary sense of music.

Criticising the government and media, Ustad Hamid Ali Khan said: “Neither the government was doing anything for classical music nor media was playing its role to promote his genre.”

“Terrorism has also badly affected music in Pakistan as people fear organising musical concerts whereas Pakistanis settled abroad hold concerts throughout the year,” he said.

Applauding the musical sense of the people of Chakwal he said: “People of Chakwal love classical music and I enjoy performing in the city”.