Music Academy Faculty of Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi organized a show-case of fusion of eastern-classical-music and western-classical-music at Arts Council Auditorium on 23rd August 2019 at Arts Council Auditorium, Karachi.
Arts Council Auditorium was brimming with the aesthetes’ art-lovers and music lovers of all sorts. Atmosphere at Arts Council auditorium smacked nothing less of a futuristic musical school exhibition 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 (both eastern and western) have evolved through times, through 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 kind words and with short introductions to eastern-classical music and western-classical music. He also praised Mr. Ahmed Shah, President of Arts Council of Pakistan as the man without whom this event would not have been possible. His dream to extend, “art as an expression” didn’t let him sleep and without him this event wouldn’t have been possible.
The performances finally began with the first act which was introduction of sarangi-nawaz maestro Gul Mohammed from the Hushyarpur gharana who showcased his marvelous talents on sarangi. He well supported on Tabla by Muhammad Waqas Ghulab, who had learnt tabla at a very young from Ustaad Bashir Khan. Unknown sitar players equally supported the all around during this act.
Second act of the evening was introduction of vocalist Shahzaib Ali, who comes from traditional ‘Gawaliyar gharana’. He took training from Ustaad Hameed Ali Khan and Ustaad Mehmood Ali Khan. During his performance he showcased his excellent talent as a vocalist which was equally supported by his powerful vocal tone. Shahzaib Ali 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. With him on stage were table-player Waris and renowned key-board player Imran Momina (aka EMU). Again anonymous sitar players were seen behind but their names weren’t displayed.
Third act of the evening was a Folk Balochi instrumental with Farhan Rais Khan on lead with his sitar. Farhan Rais Khan is son late Ustaad Rais Khan, the greatest sitar player the world of music has ever seen. He showed his brilliant skills on his sitar. He had with him Muhammad Waqas Ghulab on tabla, Zeeshan Parvaiz (aka Shaani) on bass guitar and last but not the least Shahid Ali’s percussion on his tarbooka drums raised the bar a bit higher for rest to come.
Up-next was Ustaad Mehmood Khan, who has more than 35 years of experience in the field of eastern classic singing also comes from a renowned musical family. He learnt his craft from his elder brother Ustaad Zafar Ali Khan. Ustaad Mehmood Khan raised the bar even higher and his masterpiece vindicated the hype created in his name as they announced it. Supporting musicians for Ustaad Mehmood Khan’s explosive performance were sarangi-nawaz Gul Mohammed, table-nawaz Waris and Idress Hussain Khan on harmonium.
After an electrifying performance from Ustaad Mehmood Khan, first western-classical act of the evening came to fore. Jamal Yousuf’s music career started off early and then he got training as a classical pianist and completed his music studies from Sarah & Ernest Butler School of Music at University of Texas, Austin, USA. Due to some logistic issues hollow-body piano wasn’t available and due to this very reason this performance by Jamal Yousuf felt like only mediocre performance of the day. Other reason may have been previous electrifying performance against which this one seemed pretty ordinary.
Most unique performance of the evening was an all-drum act varying from three different continents. On western-type drums was shams-ul-arfeen, on African tarbooka it was Shahid Ali and on eastern-type tabla it was Muhammad Waqas Ghulab. Instrumental started off slowly with Shams-ul-Arfeen on his drums, and then Shahid with his tarbooka and finally Muhammad Waqas Ghulab with his table kicked in. Only missing element of this performance was missing out on tabla solo which was badly missed. African Tarbooka solo and Drums solo gave an electrifying ambiance within the auditorium.
Another above average performance of the evening was from Zahid Hussain, who with his hollow-body guitar tried to do some heavy and electrifying music but couldn’t succeed much. His solo felt like a bad copy of Salman Ahmed’s iconic instrumental ‘heer’, which he first played during early 90’s, his assistant on this instrumental tabla-player Shahid Ali did lift-up the mood of the this instrumental with his excellent tabla skills but overall this was an above-average effort.
Ustaad Idress Hussain Khan who is most prominent harmonium player in Pakistan with background of “Ajara House of Music” performed raag madhuvanti. He had with him on tabla Muhammad Waqas Ghulab
Intezar Hussain a renowned eastern classical singer showcased his brilliant vocals and even better vocal chords with Idress Hussain Khan on harmonium and Muhammad Waqas Ghulab on tabla. His brilliant and smooth performance went well along with flow of the event.
Second western instrumental of the evening was played by band consisting of legendary guitarist on lead Adnan Afaq who can called as a grand-master due to immense number of students that he has taught and trained over the period of years, with him was his old friend Imran Momina (aka EMU) on key-boards, Mustafa Baloch student of Adnan Afaq on rhythm guitars, Zeeshan Pervaiz on bass guitars, on drums Shams-ul-Arfeen. Performance by this band brought everyone at the edge of their seats. Adnan Afaq’s lead guitar dominated this performance with a very heavy and groovy tone to it. By far the best and most electrifying performance of the evening.
For grand finale a fusion performance between western classical and eastern classical was awaiting us. Adnan Afaq (lead-guitars), Imran Momina (key-boards), Mustafa Baloch (rhythm guitar) and Shams-ul-Arfeen (drums) teamed-up with eastern-classical maestros Imran Abbas Khan (vocals) who comes from famous “gawaliyar gharana”, with Waris (tabla), and Farhan Rais Khan (sitar). All the musicians and vocalist started the proceedings in harmony and improvised accordingly. Adnan Afaq and Imran Abbas Khan were standout performers of this act. This also was the final performance of the evening. Grand finale can be viewed here also; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qusrwzQYCKY
On concluding note Mr. Ahmed Shah, President Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi praised the efforts put up by staff and music faculty of Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, he said; “an academy that was started with a hope and just couple of teachers, has come a long way and it is unstoppable now”.
This showcase event of eastern & western classical music was attended by many top level government dignitaries including Sardar Ali Shah Minister for Culture Government of Sindh, Saeed Ghani Minister Information Government of Sindh, Shaukat Tarin former Federal Finance Minister along with tops Diplomats from USA, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Sri Lanka & Indonesia witnessed a power-packed show. This show was also witnessed by many celebrities, socialites, music-lovers, members of music fraternity and members of press (including electronic, print and social media). Also present were families who participating musicians.
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