Napa pays tribute to Ustad Bashir Khan

The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) held a reference for the late tabla player Ustad Bashir Khan on Friday.

Speakers at the reference said the Ustad was the best exponent of his art in Pakistan, and his death was an irreparable loss. Speaking on the occasion, Napa Chairman Syed Jawaid Iqbal said he knew Ustad Bashir through his art.

He added that the late musician was a quiet and soft-spoken person who never asked for any favour nor did he make any complaints. He also announced an annual award in the name of Ustad Bashir for tabla players.

Napa COO Sameeta Ahmed said her association with Ustad Bashir started when her sister started studying tabla from him. He was gracious enough to guide the Napa management towards tabla teaching, she added.

Musicologist Sharif Awan said Ustad Bashir was the third major tabla player who passed away in a year. The tabla player’s son Zaheer Bashir Khan thanked all those who offered condolences with the family.

Students of the Ustad Waqas Gulab and Yousaf Bashir recalled him as a loving teacher. They said they were lucky to have studied under him. A video presentation from the Napa archives was also shown on the occasion.