LAHORE: Under the green shade of trees and surrounded by mulberries and marigolds on the lawns of the Alhamra Cultural Complex, a talent-hunt musical evening titled “Alhamra Live” was organized by the Lahore Arts Council on Tuesday.

It was an evening of music and singing, featuring singers and instrumentalists not only from the Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts but also from the general public. The audience that came to attend this musical gala on a rosy spring evening thoroughly enjoyed not only the lush green lawns, and music but the overall ambience of a blooming spring evening.

Singers are invited through invitations, and social media campaigns addressing colleges and universities for this talent search in music. The youth showed great interest in performing on the reputed platform of the Lahore Arts Council. There were many singers in the evening who came from every nook and cranny of the city to enjoy a free show.

Deputy Director of the Alhamra Cultural Complex Minaa Haroon told Dawn that the council organises such musical evenings for those talented singers who otherwise do not have any other platform to perform.

“After Ramazan, we are going to introduce some vital changes to the show to augment its reach to all interested singers through digital media,” Ms Haroon added. She said singing and recording songs had become costly these days, however, the Alhamra Cultural Complex is providing this facility to the upcoming singers provided they have immense talent.

The show was unveiled by an instrumental performance on the Sitar followed by a song sung by Bilal Mustafa, who sang Adnan Sami’s song “Dholki Bajao Gorio”. Farha Naz touched the hearts of audiences by singing “Wo Ishq Jo Hum Se Rooth Gaya”.

Bilal Moeen, a magnificent flute player, enthralled the audience by playing “Mein Tenu Samjahanwan Ki” tunes on the flute. Rohail Waqas stole the show by singing “Kahan Ho Tum Chalay Aao, Mauhabbat Ka Taqaza Hia.”

The audience appreciated him with a thunderous round of applause. Ayesha Waqas reawakened the folk culture of Punjab by singing “Tali Tey Thalay Baie Kay,” while Ali Shan geared up the mystical feelings of the audience by singing “Yar Ishq Aatisah.”

Imran Niazi, a Bhangra singer, sang some songs, giving the audience a chance to clap rhythmically to his Bhangra beats.

The evening came to an end with some performances by instrumentalists on the sitar and flute.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2023