KARACHI: Brimming with the art lovers and aesthetes, Arts Council auditorium smacked nothing less of a futuristic musical school exhibition, the likes of which are found galore in the alleys of Italian opera, that not only makes for the nursery of budding artists and nurtures them, but goes so far as to ensure them extravagant avenues for manifesting their artistic marvels.
The two contrasting genres, classic and fusion, evolved through times and versions and further complimented, though not at all contaminated, with a more local, indigenous touch were the palatable cuisines of the night scheduled for rendition for the art appetite. Dr. Anjum Rizvi, a renowned journalist, formally commenced the event with his eloquent words that succinctly encompassed the backdrop of such art exhibitions and contextualize the demand of society for such expositions. He went on to suggest that if it was not for Mr. Ahmed Shah, president of Arts Council of Pakistan, the man and the thought behind this event ‘whose dreams to extend art an expression don’t let him sleep’, this night would not have materialized.
The performances finally began with Sarangi Nawaz Maestro from Hushyarpur household showcasing his sedating marvel. An amateurish art aficionado with only passion and passive interest to back up his endeavor in reporting on musical events would find the serene presentation rather enchanting that take you to an imaginary expedition.
To put it mildly, call it an escapade from the daily mumbo-jumbo, if you will. Shahzeb Ali, a youthful musician who embarked on his classic venture from within the very walls and halls of arts council before he reached out to professional arenas to resound with his arresting vocals. Following the serene sarangi play, Ali set the trajectory for the night as he with his marvelous inflections of his vocals captured the last modicum of attention and garnered complimenting murmurs from across the hall.
Followed the lead the folk artist Farhan Rais concerted with Shahid Ali’s percussions and Gul Muhammad’s Tabla that together with their unworldly tunes set to play a Baloch folk piece only to keep audience grasped. Successively, Ustad Mehmood Khan set the bar higher with his over 35 years invested and incorporated in the classic singing. His maestro’s masterpiece vindicated the hype created in his name as they announced it. Confession: if it was not for the responsibilities entrusted to the reporter (myself), he would have carried away having listened to his intonations.
Jamal Yusuf later took to stage and went far with, one would think, a radical detour towards Western Classic from the hitherto indigenous music, however, still miraculously managed to sustain the homely feeling. It’s just something only art and artists with their hospitable, all-encompassing capacity can do. Yusuf, as the name connotes, played beautifully a German composition and rallied sighs and cries of excitement from among the spectators. Tarbooka, tabla and drums came next. What an intercontinental concert put together by Mr. Shahid, Mr Shams and Mr. Waqas taking the drama up a notch. They carried out a once-in-a-blue-moon sort of performance in a style that struck of a battlefield of maestros. Outmaneuvering, outsmarting and wrestling among one another only to express their passion for unity, love and art. Bravo! Guitarist Zahid Hussain, assisted by Tabla Nawaz Mr. Ali played a subaltern, desi musical narrative with his crafty fingers pulling the chords with meticulous perfection and addictiveness.
Royal Duchess born in a local village is how one would see this feat if they did not fear sounding absurd. Finally, the desperately awaited performance came about that, arguably, kept people across the hall seated despite late. The fusion maestro Imran Momina aka Emu alongside his band took audiences to a vagabond ride with a shrewdly designed and constructed composition. They sure rendered resurrection to growingly sedated halls. Such vigor and youthfulness that can only be found in mega westernized events.Afaq, Emu, Imran, Shams, Zeshan, Mustafa, Waris and Farhan now team up. Or in other words, all the starts of the night harmonized their voices i.e. through either their vocals or their instruments, and concerted put together a conclusive show that shall be remembered for a lifetime. Yes, that is how they decided to call it a night. Cunning! ET. News Desk
