Arts Council music festival
Karachi: The three-day music festival that got off to a rollicking start on Friday, the 9th of November, continued into its second day, performing to a packed open-air theatre of the Arts Council. It was a display not only of the keen enthusiasm that the Karachiites have for music but also the tremendous pool of musical talent that exists in our country. The festival showcased musical talent from all over the country.
Among those who featured on the opening day were the vocalist with a golden voice, Salman Alvi, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Savera Ali, Farhat Niaz, Shabana Kausar, Abu Ayaz, Farid Al Hussaini, and others.
The person who stole the show was obviously Salman Alvi with his floating, mellifluous voice and his versatility. He rendered two Ghazals. These artistes entertained music buffs with their talent late into the night.
Versatile Banjo player, Mumtaz Sabzal, presented Raag Kervani, with adept Tabla accompaniment by Ustad Bashir Khan. This was followed by a folk tune.
Come Saturday, the second day of the festival, and the evening opened with another exhilarating performance by Shehnai maestro Abdulla Khan from Hyderabad. Apart from the lilting melody, it was a demonstration of the maestro’s breath control, playing a piece of at least 20 minutes duration.
This was followed by Tabassum Wasti, a Ghazal singer who rendered two Ghazals.
Tabassum certainly has a golden voice. She really made the lyric come alive with her vocal interpretation and her mellifluous voice. Then came the all-too-familiar name in the realm of classical music in Pakistan, Karam Abbas Khan of the Gwalior Gharana.
He presented two Ghazals, one of them being, “Karun to kis se dil-e-soghwar ki baatein”. His melodious voice and his presentation were so very expressive of the melancholy nature of the lyric. He was followed by others, both instrumentalists and vocalists, notably, Asif Mehdi.
Similarly, Sunday, the closing day also featured a galaxy of artistes.
The Arts Council initiative has been instrumental in showcasing the tremendous musical talent in the country that lies waiting to be tapped.
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
