Daily Times

LAHORE: Classical singer Ustad Shabbir Hussain Jhari Khan captured the attention of the audience and gave a tremendous performance on the occasion of Eid Music Gala festival which was held in Lahore on Thursday.

A fusion of violin, keyboard, tabla, clarinet, dhol and harmonium became a part of the Eid Music Gala that was held under the auspices of the Punjab Institute of Language, Arts & Culture (PILAC) at Gaddafi Stadium. A large number of classical music lovers and people from all walks of life attended the Eid Gala fest. Participants of the event appreciated the singers on their fabulous performances by applauding generously.

PILAC Director General Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, PILAC Director Dr Sughra Sadaf, Dr Hassan Azad Ansari, Chaudhry Farrukh Bashir and Mian Yousuf Salahuddin were the guests of honour at the event.

On the occasion, several performances were held by renowned singers and instrumentalists including Ustad Shabbir Hussain Jhari Khan and ghazal singer Dr Khalid Saeed. The Sufi Wajdani Classical Band also performed. The band members were Javaid Iqbal, Tahir Iqbal, Jaffar Hussain, Wasim Abbas, Imran Ali, Shaan Tahir, Waris Ali, Munawar Abbas and Amanat Ali.

“Mera piya ghar aaya” as well as other beautiful Sufi songs by Baba Bulleh Shah were performed by Ustad Shabbir Hussain Jhari Khanm which enthralled the audience. The enthusiastic performance was received with enormous applause by the viewers.

Dr Khalid Saeed performed on famous ghazals including “Mujhay Tum Nazar Say Gira Tou Rahe Ho” and “Rafta Rafta Wo Meri Hasti Ke Saman Ho Gaye”.

Expressing his views, dhol player Salamat Ali said people do not value the talent and skills of classical singers, which is hurting the culture of singing in society. He emphasised that the Punjab government and other authorities concerned should hold more such events on a monthly basis for the revival of this sector.