KARACHI, June 21: Leading vocalist Ghulam Abbas performed at a music programme called Baithak, at the Arts Council on Friday night.

Two other singers — one presenting folk songs and the other classical music — also performed at the programme, which was organized by the music committee of the Council.

Introducing the vocalists, Salamat Ali, who along with his singer wife Azra Raiz, has been instrumental in organizing Baithak music programmes and bringing a tasteful audience to the Arts Council, said that this time round the music committee had decided to give a folk singer an opportunity to perform at the Arts Council. “The idea is that this will introduce music-loving people to a very vibrant genre of music. Yaqoob, who will present Marvari folk songs, will be accompanied on the Dholak by Iftikhar and on the Sarangi by Jamil. I must add that Jamil should be praised for choosing an instrument which is, sadly, fast falling into oblivion,” he said.

Salamat also thanked Ustad Raees Khan for coming to the Arts Council along with his wife Bilqees Khanum to attend Baithak music programme.

Ustad Raees Khan and Bilqees Khanum had also attended the performance by classical vocalist, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, on Jan 31, at the Arts Council.

Impressed by the performances of singers, Ustad Raees Khan said that if the music-loving audience at the Arts Council continued to appreciate and understand good music, he would consider performing at a Baithak programme. He lauded the efforts of Salamat Ali and Azra Riaz for not only presenting good music programmes but also creating a tasteful audience.

Yaqoob presented two Marvari folk songs. While a large number of people were unable to understand the lyrics of the songs, they enjoyed the beat and rhythm of the numbers. It is a pity that the beautiful sound of Sarangi was drowned out by the monopolising sound of the keyboard.

Intizaar Hussain presented Shiv Kalyan raag. He was accompanied on the Tabla by Shabbir Hussain and on the harmonium by his father, Master Shafi. He also sang a Ghazal.

Ghulam Abbas started his performance with a song from film Ajnabi. He was accompanied on the Tabla by Mahmood Ali and on the harmonium by Babu Khan.

The former secretary of the Arts Council, Saifur Rahman Grami, presented bouquets to performers.