LAHORE, March 9: After some 20 years or so renowned folk and ghazal singer Tahira Syed publicly performed in Lahore at Alhamra, The Mall, on Saturday night.

It was for the first time that she sang Faiz Ahmed Faiz in Lahore. The evening was organised by Faiz Foundation Trust.

The musical score and arrangement was made by well-known music director Arshad Mahmood, who earlier had collaborated with Tahira Syed for a very successful Faiz Centennial Programme at The Asia Society in New York. The event was organised to pay tribute to Malika Pukhraj, Tahira Syed’s mother, and Alys Faiz, the mother of Salima Hashmi and Moneeza Hashmi.

The evening included Urdu, Punjabi and Pahari folk songs and ghazals, poetry recitation by Adeel Hashmi accompanied by the young piano maestro Asad Anees, and a mime by students of Lahore Grammar School, Gulberg.

The mime was the opening performance. The young dancers performed kathak to Faiz’s poem ‘Jab Dukh ki Nadiya mein Hum Nay Jeevan Ki Naow Dali Thi.’ It was a well-coordinated performance which was highly appreciated by the audience.

Tahira Syed sang publicly after many years. She was given a warm welcome by the audience. Ms Syed first sang popular songs and ghazals sung by her mother Malika Phukraj such as ‘Abhi to Mein Jawan Hoon’, ‘Allah Belwa Ho’, ‘Lo Phir Basant Ayee’ and ‘Wo Batian Teri Wo Fasanay Teray.’

Later, she sang Faiz Ahmed Faiz – ‘Nahi Nigha Mein Manzil to Justajoo hi Sahi,’ ‘Raat Yun Dil Mein Teri Khoie Huwi Yaad Aie,’ ‘Kab Tak Dil Ki Khair Manaien’ and others.

The audience enjoyed Syed’s performance especially when she sang ‘Jhanjar Wajdi Na Jhankar Bina.’ Prominent figures like Asma Jahangir, Justice Javed Iqbal (retired), film actor and director from India Girish Karnad. — Staff Reporter