Daily Times

The names of late Hayat Ahmad Khan and All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) are synonymous. Now Dr. Ghazala Irfan and her associate Faraan Ahmad Irfan (her son) have taken over after Hayat Ahmad Khan’s demise. The All Pakistan Music Conference is a Cultural Organization / General Public Service Organisation. It was formed on 15th September 1959 with the express intention of promoting and perpetuating the rich tradition of the classical arts in Pakistan.

APMC’s 59th festival took off with a roaring success on Day 1 on Tuesday when students competed in different categories.

The categories comprised Schools under 10, Schools over 10, Colleges/Universities and overall best classical music performance. Contrary to the general impression that music is not being encouraged, about 280 students and amateurs got registered, out of which few were selected each for various vocal and instrumental categories who performed in the event.

More than a month’s preparation preceded this assortment.

Reality is far different from general perception, Dr. Ghazala mentioned a few days ago. She was visibly concerned that the event took off smoothly as so many students had worked hard to reach to this forum.

Some students performed Ghazal, some folk and some instrumental music. Large gathering in the Bagh-e-Jinnah Pahari Open Air Theatre was seen in fine weather to appreciate the performances. What one infers is that lot of raw talent is available awaiting proper grooming. APMC offered them a platform to perform. It naturally cannot offer them training facilities. These kids depend upon the training of teachers hired by the schools they study in and not all schools have music classes. Having said that, the scenario of youngsters as far as music is concerned is fairly encouraging. When I mentioned the word odds, it meant the arena not being cleaned properly, funds not flowing as fluently as in the past. Dr. Ghazala was double minded to shift the arena to Alhamra Art Centre Hall but they were available for only three days and that too till 10 in the evening, the Lahore Arts Council not realising that Conference Events are traditionally late-night affair. APMC management fought these odds and was successful by the end of the day.

Day 2, the 23rd of October, 2019 was reserved for Amateur competition and ‘Gharanon Ki Meeraas’ (inheritance of schools of thought). God was kind as the flow of music had to be stopped for a few minutes as it drizzled for a while but it gained momentum thereafter. The 400 odd audience did not want the break. They insisted the performance be continued.

The performers were Saira Tahir Noor (Ghazal), Waseem Khan (Clarinet) (he is son of late Ustad Muhammad Akhtar Khan of Shahdara), Sarwat Ali Khan (folk-song Pattenaan Tei Mil Mahiya composed by Ustad Tasaduq Ali Khan originally rendered by Ghulam Ali and Afshan) (he is programmes producer at Radio Pakistan and is son of late Tassaduq Ali Khan, former Controller, Radio Pakistan and younger brother of Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan-Ustad Salamat Ali Khan duo), Aris Ali Khan (Kheyal), Mohsin Abbas (Kheyal), Faizan Ali Khan and Nadir Ali Khan (Kheyal), Bukht Ali Khan (Kheyal), George Iqbal (Kheyal), Kashan Asif (Flute), Sheheryar Ali Khan (Kheyal), Mumtaz Sajid (Sitar), Ejaz Ali Khan (Kheyal), Asher Younis & Shan Younis (Kheyal), Sajid Ali Khan Faridi (Kheyal), Sajawal (Tabla), Shujaat Ali Khan (Kheyal), Imran Ilyas (Kheyal), Raza Shaukat (Tabla) (he is son of the great Tabla Player Ustad Shaukat Hussain) and Nayyab Ali Khan & Inam Ali Khan (Kheyal) (they are sons of Hamid Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana – they claimed that Raag Bahadur Kauns was being rendered for the first time whereas it has been rendered by many senior classical vocalists like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Ghulam Haider Khan also). Quite a number of eager audiences awaited the performance of Shafqat Salamat Ali Khan of Sham Chaurasi Gharana who performed in the end. He performed Raag Purbi among applause.

In my humble opinion the followers/scions of various gharanas feel that they have to entertain the audience by number of ‘tihaais’ or ‘paltaas’ and by jugglery; physical or vocal. Even Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan had to be requested by the management to render ‘Bilampat’ portion more. Actually the essence of Classical Music rendering is to establish the Raag first in Alaap but then more in the Bilampat portion which is based on gradual progression in Raag the Kharaj note to the next and the next and so on till the Raag’s spirit is established. Faster portion ‘Durrat’ has ample chances for one’s craftsmanship. Coverage of last three days shall follow after the culmination of this grand event.

Day 03 that is October 24, 2019 (Thursday) was reserved for all domains of music at All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) at Open Air Theatre Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore. The weather was cool and very congenial to sit on the stairs of the theatre which was laid with carpets. The families had brought their cushions. The stalls outside the arena sold tea, coffee, burgers and soup to keep the audience comfortable in mild winters. The theatre and surroundings were well lit. If young people were taking a running flight of stairs, the old took brief rests on the flat surfaces in the aisles. The spirit was common; to attend and enjoy the efforts of APMC who collected the artists from all over the country.

This day was reserved for all domains of music; folk, ghazals, geet, kafi and classical music. Riaz Qadri, famous for his Kafi’s performance in Shuaib Mansoor’s films, rendered two Kafis; Jindri Luti and Main Tere Qurban. It has become a fashion that more powerful are your lungs, and more vibration in your vocals, the more are you received well. Those artists who preceded him as per list issued by APMC were Mrs. Faraz Saeed (Hamd), Ameer Shaukat Ali (folk), Amanat Ali (Table), Nadeem (Ghazal), Tahir Khan (Kafi), Neena Syed (Dadra), Faraz Saeed (Kafi), Goshi Talib (Ghazal), Yousuf Rauf (Kafi) and Muhammad Ahmad Khan (Ghazal). A total of 27 participants were invited to perform on this evening. Rest were Razia Bibi & Sania Bibi (Folk), Dr. Khalid Saeed (Ghazal), Muhammad Rafiq (Kafi), Anita Tariq w/o Tariq Tareen, an ardent worker od APMC Ghazal/Geet), Akbar Khamisu Khan (Alghoza). Khamisu Khan used to perform at PTV’s programmes like Lok Tamasha in 1970s. Alghoza (Beenoon in Sindh) is a Sindhi rare instrument with double flute. His performance of Raag Rano was appreciated as it is a rare gem. It was heartening to see APMC revive this instrument. Muhammad Moeen presented Shabd, Taloot Memon (Folk/Ghazal), Shamoon Fida (Ghazal), Naeem Annas Mehdi (Ghazal), Taranum Naaz (Ghazal), Ustad Habib ur Rehman (Thumri) along with his female student. Professor Muhammad Jawwad, a proficient classical vocalist, a pupil of Ustad Saleem Hussain did not come due to previous engagements. Overall it was a lovely treat of all types, styles and domains of music.

Day 04 Friday was reserved for classical music. It was jam packed audience. Mrs. Ghazala Irfan was more than happy to see that by 9:30 p.m. no Ustad had performed and the ‘Ataais’ had captured the house with their brilliant performances; Ehsan Mahmud Butt by Raag Bheem Plasi, Malik Mudassar by Raag Bhageshri, Aizaz Suhail by Raag Todi, Nadeem Riaz Khan by Raag Pat Deep, Raag Bihaag by Dr. Amjad Parvez and Shafqat Hussain (Raag Malkauns). She introduced me to M/s Indu Mitha who was to be given the Life Time Achievement Award at the end of Day 04. Ejaz Hussain Tawakal was the first ‘Ustad’ who performed Raag Kalawati with his scion. Ustad Badar uz Zaman-Ustad Qamar uz Zaman, Akmal Qadri followed (flute). Mrs. Mitha had come to listen to Toni (Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan) who started his recital of Raag Charokeshi at passed midnight. The theatre was full at 12:30 a.m. He received great applause. His biography mentions that like his father and grandfather, Ashraf Sharif Khan belongs to the illustrious Poonch Gharana (school) of traditional sitar.

Ashraf’s music combines an astonishing technical proficiency with perfection in musical expression. The melodic beauty of his style, accentuated by his dynamic rhythmic development and the virtuoso technique, produce a unique musical experience, equally appreciable to novices and connoisseurs of South Asian music. His music transcends regional boundaries, and is accessible to all.

It is very encouraging to note that music lovers from all ages came and enjoyed the evening of classical music. It dispels the general impression that classical music is dying down. That did not seem so in the said evening.

Final Day 05, October 26, 2019 drew the highest number of music listeners for the reasons that Prize Distribution of Days 1 and 2 competitions was held, combination of all types of music was offered and of course the fine weather added to the flavour. A total of 14 artists were scheduled to perform including Hast-o-Neest Group, Tahseen Sakina, Fazal Jutt s/o Ashiq Jutt, folk song Ghara fame, Rahat Multanikar daughter of veteran singer Suraiya Multanikar, Wahdat Rameez, Habib Ali, Noor Zehra Kazim, Abdul Rauf, Haider Rehman, Ustad Naseer uddin Saami, Alia Rasheed (Dhurpad, a Gaiki (form of music) that is almost extinct in Pakistan), Sajid (Tabla), Qadir Ali & Muslim Shaggan (Kheyal) (son and grandson of Ustad Ghulam Hassan Shaggan), Qasim Ibrahim (Sitar), Rustam Fateh Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana, Shahid Ali (Sitar), Hamid Ali Khan from Patiala Gharana, Sanam Qadri (Tabla), Zain ul Abedien (Kheyal), Izzat Ali Khan (Kheyal) and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Hyderabadi of Guwaliar Gharana.

The audience enjoyed the quality music late night as the following day was a Sunday.

I am willing to forgive the cynics who are habitual in imparting negativity not appreciating that APMC has given them a free musical treat and also bringing fresh talent in the market and bringing the senior and established ones on the forum despite odds. The scenario is especially worth appreciation when our State Media as well as Private TV Channels has music, especially classical music at its lowest priority. I give full credit to the golden lady Ghazala Irfan and her team.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com