Qawwali for a cause
By Shanaz Ramzi
Unlike most qawwali programmes that normally begin quite late in the evening and then carry on into the wee hours of the morning, the one organised recently by a charity organization for children in Karachi was a relatively early affair.
With dinner served as soon as enough guests arrived not surprisingly, many were trickling in till well after the programme had begun Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his humnawa (his group of ten musicians) began their performance almost immediately after.
It is to the credit of the Lahore-based qawaal and his entourage playing instruments as diverse as the tabla, guitar, keyboard, harmonium and trumpet that they managed to hold the audiences attention in spite of the fact that it was an extremely hot and humid evening. It was obvious that the management had gone into meticulous details while making the arrangements of the event, so much so that there were tissue boxes and a generous supply of water bottles and soft drinks at every lounge table. It was hence all the more surprising that no fans and/or coolers had been arranged.
When Rahat got up to take his leave he was overwhelmed with requests by ardent fans who were not willing to let go. In his clear, resonant voice he sang Allah Hu, Allah Hu as the finale, and made good his escape before the audience could ask for more
Nonetheless, the performance was an enjoyable, albeit brief one with the maestro beginning the programme with the famous Koi Tau Hai Joh Nizam-i-Hasti. In the two-hour session that followed some very popular qawwalis were rendered such as Man ki Lagan, Afreen, Afreen and Ankhiaon Deek Dyan. So captivated was the audience that when the Ustad sang what is normally the closing piece Mast Qalandar he was inundated with requests for more and had to acquiesce.
He followed it up with In Ki Fitrat Mein Hai Bewafai, but once again when he got up to take his leave he was overwhelmed with requests by ardent fans who were not willing to let go. In his clear, resonant voice he sang Allah Hu, Allah Hu as the finale, and made good his escape before the audience could ask for more.
It only goes to show that there is an undying demand for good music and a quality voice no matter what the genre, and people are willing to overcome all odds to listen to it. The event was organized by SCINOSA (School for Children in need of Special Attention).
link:
http://dawn.com/weekly/images/images7.htm
Concert Review: Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Live in Karachi - Qawwali for a cause
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