Karachi’s vast reservoir of musical talent showcased
Anil Datta
Karachi: The oozing musical talent among Karachi’s youth that has lain hidden over the decades on account of various factors, was showcased Monday evening at a musical programme at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa). It was a pleasure to see the flowing talent among young men and women , former graduates of Napa, present students, and teachers.
All the artistes put up a splendid performance and seemed to have really mastered the art of vocalism.The evening started with two renditions by Aasia Alam, an alumnus of the academy, who graduated two years ago. The first number she rendered was “Lage Na Man Tere Bina”, a number that was rendered with perfect ease and a wonderful control over her cadences.
However, it was her second rendition that really deserves mention. “Tera Saya Jahan Bhi Ho Sajna”, originally rendered by Nayyara Noor in the 1973 film, Gharana, must have been a nostalgic trip in time for many among the audience, rendered with almost the same perfection as Nayyara. It must have catapulted many 40 years back in time and brought back fond and the sweetest of memories. As they say, the past is a beautiful country, and reliving it is a wonderful experience, even if for just for a few fleeting moments.
Surely, even though all the artistes put up a highly commendable performance, Aasia Alam and Irfan, a first-year student at Napa, stole the limelight. Irfan in his rich, mellifluous baritone, rendered another Mehdi Hassan number, again taking many among the audience on a sentimental journey back in the non-linear dimension with a sentimental hit from the 1969 movie, “Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai”, a number that set many-a-toe tapping, “Jab Koi Piyar Se Bulai Ga, Tum Ko Ek Shakhs Yaad Ayega”. It was a rendition par excellence. Irfan really comprises the mettle musicians are made of.
Even though Aasia and Irfan dominated the show hands down, this is not to relegate the efforts of the others. There was Haroon Rashid with his rendition of a number originally rendered by the late Mehdi Hassan, “Tark-e-Ulfat Ka Sila” and another one originally sung by the late Masood Rana, “Teri Yaad A Gaee, Gham Khushi Mein Dhal Gaya”.
Others who put up real astute vocal performances were Nadir Abbas with Mehdi Hassan’s number “Rafta Rafta Meri” and Iqra with two numbers, one in Punjabi and the other one, “Lambi Judai”. Even though she seemed to go overly shrill at certain junctures while negotiating the highest note, the performance was still highly commendable. The Shabbir-Erum duet, “Aap Bhool Jaaenge, Itne To Bewafa Naheen” was another astute rendition as was Erum’s presentation of “Main Ne Paon Mein Bandhi Payal Naheen”.
Idrees and Julian at the harmoniums, Waqas Gulab at the Tablas, Manzoor at the violin, and Jamal at the portable keyboard, presented ideal supporting roles.How one wishes that the flowering of this oozing reservoir of talent continues uninterrupted and its continuance is not snapped by other factors!
Source: The News
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