ISLAMABAD: The harmonic dialogue between the sitar and the tabla combined with sweet melodic notes from the flute enthralled audience at an instrumental concert on Friday night at Kuch Khaas.

Three maestros - Mohammad Ajmal on tabla, Amir Hussain on sitar and Salman Adil on flute - came together to perform a variety of tunes from folk to film, improvising and complementing each other.

Amir Khusro’s Raag Aimen in celebration of the Sufi ethos of divine love, the melancholic Raag Madvanti, the light-hearted Punjabi folk tune ‘Lung aa ja patan’ and the famous ‘Sun wanjli’ from the film Heer Ranjha were performed.

As the music resonated in the crisp autumn night, the listeners found themselves transported into another world.

“The music puts a smile on my face. These musical masters share their love for what they do best and for the listeners it’s like going on a journey,” said Mrs. Ashraf Hayat, a guest at the concert.

The concert was arranged by Institute for Preservation of Art and Culture(IPAC) in Pakistan, an initiative to revive classical and folk music and to increase appreciation for traditional musical instruments.

However, having the concert outdoors also meant that noise of roaring crowds and songs from the political protest at nearby D-chowk could be heard in the background. But as nimble fingers moved upon the instruments and the audience swayed to both rhythmic and more dynamic pieces, the atmosphere was truly bewitching. The intimate setting where a small audience sat close to a stage, added to experience.

“With a blend of sitar and tabla with flute interactions, the concert was an extraordinary presentation indeed,” said another guest at the concert

In the final performance of the night, Mohammad Ajmal played with vigorous energy in impeccable harmony with Amir Hussain, whose fingers moved along the frets with expertise, drawing applause from the audience when Salman Adil joined in. With their eyes focused on each other, the three masters smiled, challenging and encouraging each other and enjoying themselves immensely, as they played towards the climax of a wonderful evening.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2014