Ustad Hamid Ali Khan entertains music lovers

By Saadia Khalid

Islamabad:A live musical concert with well-known classical singer belonging to famous Patiala Gharana Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, organised by Lok Virsa under Joint Institutional Cultural Cooperation between Pakistan and Norway, enthralled audience on Thursday night.

Ustad Hamid Ali Khan was born in 1953. He is the leading example of famous traditions of classical singing in the sub-continent. Allah Almighty has blessed Ustad Hamid Ali Khan with a gift of his voice which a few other contemporary singers posses.

Acknowledging his contribution, Government of Pakistan has bestowed upon Ustad Hamid Ali Khan number prestigious awards. During his tour of India in 2007, he was presented lifetime achievement award in the field of classical music. After the death of Amanat Ali Khan and Asad Amanat Ali Khan as well as due to the poor health condition of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Hamid Ali Khan is considered by many to be the last of the great Patiala legends.

Royal Norwegian Embassy Ambassador Robert Kvile on the occasion said that it was a matter of great satisfaction for Norwegian Embassy that Lok Virsa, in its capacity, as a lead partner in Pakistan, is playing its role efficiently for implementing the Joint Institutional Cooperation between the two countries. “Tonight’s successful event with a leading exponent of classical singing in Pakistan is an example of this dedication on the part of Lok Virsa”.

He said the Norwegian ambassador assured full cooperation and support on behalf of his government for furtherance of objectives and activities of Lok Virsa.

Speaking on the occasion Federal Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani said that Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Norway that are expanding day-by-day. “We are indebted to the Norwegian government and its people for their continued help towards the promotion and preservation of Pakistani culture. We do hope that this spirit of cooperation will not only continue, but also grow further in the time to come”, he said.

Explaining objectives of the programme, Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid said that with support from Norwegian government, Lok Virsa launched a musical series of programme titled as “documentation of genealogical families in Pakistan” with a view to encourage youngsters in the families of reputed musicians (Ustad) to continue to practice the art they inherited from their elders. Actually it is an effort of Lok Virsa to pay tributes to the icons of Pakistani musical heritage, he added.

Lok Virsa executive director informed that the first concert under this series was held in July 2010 highlighting the contribution and achievements of late folk and classical singer Tufail Niazi wherein his three talented sons — Javed, Babar and Shehnsha performed in a live concert at Lok Virsa. “This concert with Hamid Ali Khan is the second in the series of musical programme initiated by Lok Virsa”, Khalid Javaid further added.

Lok Virsa is planning to hold three more concerts under this series focusing on the young artists from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan up till December 2010.

Answering to a question, Lok Virsa chief executive said that his institution is in process of producing concerts of young promising artists, who have their own genealogical roots and recognition in the world of music.

Following his footsteps, Hamid Ali Khan’s sons have created their own band called ‘Raga Boyz’. The band is creating a blend between classical Patiala style signing and modern beats.

Courtesy:  The news