ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, a maestro of classical music and Ghazal, mesmerized the audience with his two- hour performance at the National Art Gallery Tuesday evening.

It was his first public appearance after going through an open heart surgery last year. Although, he appeared to have lost a little weight, his voice and style of singing was as lively as ever.

The audiences included several diplomats and their wives. The art gallery was jam-packed with a considerable number of music fans belonging to the younger generation.

The event provided a welcome relief to citizens in the backdrop of volatile situation due to chequered state of affairs in the country’s neighbourhood.

Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, a recipient of the Pride of Performance award, played Sarangi, and Ustad Mohammad Ajmal Khan was on Tabla. Both the performers excelled in their respective fields and earned sporadic appreciation from the audiences.

In a pin-drop silence, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan started with Rag Aiman, which is performed at night time. It was followed by a rendition of Tarana of the same raga.

Next was another night raga called, Rag Adana. It had been composed two centuries ago by the singer’s grand grand father, General Ali Bukhsh Khan, at the court of Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The wording of the composition was: “Rehay Jehangir” (long live the king). It was well applauded by the audience.

It was followed by Taan kaptan, a raga composed by Mian Mehrban Khan, one of the great disciples of Ustad Ali Bukhsh.

The third raga chosen by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan was Dorg, once again a night raga. Next was a Ghazal that he had recorded for the PTV in 1992. The lyrics, Dil main kisi ki Yad basay aik zamana beet gaya received a lot of appreciation from the audience.

Though the Ghazal was composed in Rag Tilak Kamod, it had a slight touch of another night raga, Sham Kalyan.

The last item presented by the maestro was Thumari Bhairvin with the famous wording, Kab aoge tum. He used to sing this item with his elder brother, Ustad Amanat Ali khan.

Earlier, the PNCA music wing in charge, Arif Jaffery, threw light on the history and services of the maestro’s Patiala Gharana.