PEOPLE living in Karachi believe that those residing on the other side of the Clifton bridge are snob, arrogant and inhumane. It may be true in the case of some residents of Defence and Clifton but the rest are similar to those living on that side of the bridge. One specific characteristic of these people is their aesthetic sense hardly to be noticed in any other locality of Pakistan. There are many verses of Urdu poetry saying that a person having no interest in music is not a balanced person.

According to poets, people having liking for music are mostly humble, polite and caring. In Defence and Clifton there are people who listen to old film songs and also like to sing songs of playback singers like Rafi, Kishore, Talat, Mukesh, Lata, Asha and Shamshad Begum.

There are at least five music organisations in the area which have about 100 members each. Their musical evenings are held once a month over dinner or high tea. Performers are usually amateur singers picked up from amongst members. Some have employed music teachers to teach them the intricacies of singing and they practise on a regular basis.

The oldest organisation, named Amateur Melodies, is a brainchild of Sultan Arshad, who is still managing it successfully. Being associated with a TV channel, the singers also get an opportunity to sing on television. Some of them have gained so much expertise that they have turned professionals. Another one, called Mauseeqar, is run by Dr Saira Khan. Famous musicologist and writer S.M. Shahid is its patron-in-chief.

Lutfullah Khan, who has got the widest collection of gramophone records of the 1940s and 1950s, also keeps attending its functions regularly.

I am a member of Mauseeqar and sing semi-classical and film songs whenever I get an opportunity. Captain Khalid Khurshid manages music lovers and specialises in singing songs of Kishore Kumar. Artistes accompanying on the orchestra in all the above-mentioned three organisations are so accomplished that they cover up weaknesses of the singers.

Saz-o-Awaz, administered by Saleem A. Khan, is also a Defence-based organization. However, this organisation invites only professional classical or ghazal singers to perform at its function held once in two months. Sampuram is a classical music-based organisation managed by Safia Baig, who herself is a classical singer.

In an entertainment-starved society having such music organisations is a blessing. Singing not only provides entertainment to the listener but is also a source of happiness for the performer.

PARVEZ RAHIM Karachi