13th APMC concludes on a high

Karachi

Despite coinciding with the World T20 finale, the three-day 13th All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) concluded on a high note as music lovers from all around the city flocked to listen to performances of maestros like Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, at the Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture on Sunday.

The evening featured two ‘Khayals’ - a transverse flute recital - by Karam Abbas and Ali Waseem and later by Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, while Bushra Ansari presented a semi-classical performance with Ashraf Sharif Khan played the sitar.

In the words of an attendee, Asif Mehmood, “Attendance is certainly not the criterion to judge music. Traditional music lovers may be limited, but they are all quality listeners.” The artists with their Raags supported with Tabla beats had the audience’ attention captured for hours.

One of them was Neha Qidwai, as for her it was remarkable that both the artists and the audience followed through the high standards set by the organisers. She was thankful for the event not being ‘adulterated’ with commercial or populist music.

“Traditional music is our heritage, and I believe the event is more or less an effort to preserve and celebrate it,” she said. The APMC is a not-for-profit venture which has been attempting to promote indigenous arts and music since 2004.

With a vision to make people aware of the sub-continent’s cultural heritage, the APMC festival had free entry for all those who wished to attend. Over the past decade, the APMC’s main focus has been on making traditional dance and music accessible to all through events free for all and sundry.

The venture has been successful in securing a vast membership, and establishing links with local and international organisations to provide greater exposure to Pakistan’s performing arts practitioners.