The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) recently paid a glowing tribute to the literary Sufi poet and composer, Amir Khusrau. Held against the backdrop of the recent spate of lawlessness in Karachi, the event in its duration was kept low key and for a select audience only.

The tribute was a collaboration of performances by classical singer Salamat Ali, Mubarak Ali Khan, Mehnaz, classical dancer Naheed Siddiqui, singer Fariha Pervez, sitar maestro Nafees Ahmed and tabla whiz Basher Khan. The event was carefully organised and orchestrated by Zia Mohyeddin who has devoted an extensive amount of research into the life and works of the poet. He also delivered some verses by the poet.

About Amir Khusrau, Zia Mohyeddin is of the opinion that “he was a courtier, scholar, soldier and much more. What intrigues me most about Amir Khusrau is not that he was able to compose profound poetry at the same time as he was creating a new raga, but that he continued to do so during his associations with the royal empires of more than seven rulers of Delhi, all of whom were despotic and capricious, prone to dismiss — or behead — any of their advisors on a whim. Amir Khusrau could only be summed up as `light upon light`.”  — HS

STILETTO TO HAVE MARJAWAN

Faakhir`s Marjawan (a track released as part of his first album, Aatish) is currently slated for placement into the Stiletto Productions LLC.

The independent motion picture Stiletto stars Tom Berenger and Tom Sizemore and the full length of the song is used as the background track in the scene where Beck visits his friend in an auto showroom while trying to find Raina.

The producers of Stiletto are also interested in some more songs from Faakhir`s upcoming album which will be releasing early next year.

The song Marjawan has had a fairly eventful history. Ironically it`s the same the same song that was lifted and featured in the Bollywood film, Aashiq Banaya Aap Ne. Faakhir started shooting for the Marjawan video in 2002 but it is still unreleased. — M.S.

THE MUSIC GALLERY OPENS IN LAHORE

The Music Gallery (TMG) opened on the canal in Garden Town, Lahore. It is a tastefully done up place that promises to be an exclusive haven for music lovers, who can order music from its large collection covering many eras and genres, pick up choice selections and enroll for music classes.

Hanif Tayab Hasan, the man behind the project, says that TMG will bring together established and aspiring musicians and artistes, facilitating collaborations among them.

The Friday launch on December 11 set the tempo for things to come. Musicians, artistes, businessmen, socialites and media persons such as Shaan, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Farhad Humayun (Overload), Fawaad Afzal Khan, Hamza Jafri (Co-VEN), Juggun Kazim, Yousaf Salahuddin and Dr Pervez Hassan were seen enjoying the eclectic selection of music and going through the well-displayed collection.

Interesting stuff is certainly expected to come out of this project. — F.S.