KARACHI, Nov 26: This weekend turned out to be melodious in its essence as the city witnessed three captivating musical programmes – all in its southern neighbourhoods – two of which attracted sizable audiences who remained glued to their seats till late in the night. However, the one at the Karachi Press Club in which Nand Lal played solo had a select but small audience.

Two programmes were fully musical – in fact solo shows – in which two famous singers showed magic through their rhythmic voice, while the other was designed not for a select audience but more to entertain public.

Ghazal Queen Tasawwur Khanum had proved that her talent had still the great force to attract a large audience and her voice was still so fascinating that it had mesmerised the listeners and one who entered the venue of the evening, the Arts Council Karachi, could not return back during the programme. It was evident from the number of cars queued up along both sides of the road outside the venue.

Khanum sang non-stop scores of her known ghazals and songs – both filmi and non-filmi – on the lawns of arts council and as the night fell she became more enthusiastic and her audience became more demanding. She kept receiving the chits scribbled with her popular songs and ghazals from the audience and she showed no sign of fatigue while fulfilling the demands.

The venue kept harmonious till late in the night while the jam that the cars created outside could disperse early in the morning.

Another musical evening was held with ghazal singer Nand Lal at the Karachi Press Club. Unlike Khanum’s programme, the number of audience was in a few dozens that disappointed the singer and his orchestra and the Club’s management. The singer notwithstanding sang his heart despite his listeners kept reducing. Along with his ghazals and songs, Mr Lal also offered the popular stuff created by great Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and other maestros with his face wearing no fatigue yet hiding the disappointment.

The third event was musical gala hosted by the City District Government Karachi and organised by the management of IDEAS-2006 at the People’s Sports Complex, Mauripur.

People were in thousands who thronged the sports complex from all the towns of Karachi. Tight security arrangements had been made to ensure a peaceful event that also lasted till early in the morning. Singers Sajjad Ali, Shehzad Roy, Hadiqa Kiyani, Abrarul Haq, Rahim Shah, Jawwad Ahmed and Fusion band were on forefront of the musical segment.

Actors Moin Akhtar and Jamal Shah, poet Iftikhar Arif and cricketer Younus Khan were among the prominent guests. Fakhre Alam, Bushra Ansari, Ayesha Khan and Ali Salman were the anchors.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and other dignitaries attended the function.