‘Raagas’ welcome the monsoons at Alhamra

By Anjum Gill

LAHORE: Artistes welcomed the monsoons at a monthly concert organised by the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) at the Alhamra Arts Council on Tuesday with a fine combination of various Raagas.

The concert began with Haider Rehman playing Raag ‘Peelu’ on the flute. Iftikhar Jopseph added the rhythm on the tabla while Master Khursheed played the harmonium to add colour to the classical presentation.

Vocalist Abdul Rehman sung Raaga ‘Jae Jae Wanti’ and followed it up with Raaga ‘Megh’ and a ‘Thumri’. He too was accompanied by Master Khurshid on the harmonium and Master Riaz on the tabla while Ustad Faqir Hussain supported the music with a presentation on the Sarangi.

APMC’s Hayat Ahmed Khan presented a passionate speech at the end of the performances. He said he was pleased as people who did not belong to traditional singing families were learning classical music. However, he felt dismayed as children from traditional singing families were now shifting their focus towards pop music.

Mr Khan said new artistes would be provided a chance to show their talent at the coming Music Conference concert to help promote classical music. He said the Music Conference was a private, non-profit and non-commercial organisation which was in dire need of funds.

Mr Khan said members were not paying the membership fee of the Music Conference regularly despite the nominal Rs 300 charged per year. The conference is facing a shortage of funds despite having more than 2,000 members, he added. “Today the programme was organised on credit,” he said, adding that the body needed more patronage. He claimed that the conference started organising its programmes around 45 years ago and all of them had started on time.

The Music Conference holds its concerts in the first week of every month. The body organises a five-day music festival every year which include performances and a seminar on music. “We have lit a candle for the promotion of classical music and it will burn for as long as we live,” he said.

He said the future of classical music looked bright as Kinnaird College would offer music classes this year. He himself will teach music history while Abdul Rehman will conduct singing classes in the course. Mr Rehman also teaches at the Lahore College for Women University and the Alhamra Performing Arts Academy.

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