LAHORE: Renowned Karachi-based ghazal singer Nadira, popularly known as Munni Begum, will perform in Lahore on May 29 after a gap of 15 years.

Munni Begum ruled Radio Pakistan and PTV in the 70s and 80s. She has been invited for a solo evening by the Lahore Arts Council (LAC) which will be held on May 29, at Alhamra Art Centre.

The council has invited many celebrities from film and television to the evening.

LAC Executive Director retired Captain Atta Muhammad Khan told Dawn it would be a great and memorable occasion.

“We will decorate and illuminate the Alhamra Art Centre for the show, as Munni Begum will be performing at Alhmara for the first time,” said Mr Khan.

Begum’s last performance in Lahore was back in 2000 at a hotel on The Mall.

The council has formed a team which will look after arrangements from ornamentation of marigolds to prepare a glowing back screen on the stage bearing Munni’s images.

Entry to the music evening will be through invitation. Munni Begum will also perform in Islamabad and Faisalabad.

Who can forget the echo of some fine ghazals by Munni such as “Tumhare Shehr Ka Mausam Bada Suhana Lage”, “Ek Bar Muskura Do”, “Awaargi Mein Haad Se Guzar Jaana Chahiye”, and “Bhoolne Wale Se Koi Kehde”. It was the 70s when Munni Begam started her career and released her first album of ghazals in 1976. In 2008, the legendary singer was awarded with Pride of Performance by the government.

The LAC will present a special emblem of the LAC to the singer. Moreover, at the music evening there will be a chit chat with the singer.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2015

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