PNCA concert rekindles spirit of classical music

Islamabad: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) reverberated with the timeless charm of South Asian classical music as the Ahang-i-Khusrawi Classical Music Heritage Trust (CMHT) hosted a memorable concert on Saturday evening.

Drawing a full house of diplomats, students, artists and classical music connoisseurs, the event celebrated the richness of Pakistan’s musical heritage with a blend of spirituality, cultural pride and artistic brilliance.

The evening commenced with a soul-stirring choral performance by Trust students Afsa, Amaan, Sara and Ahmad, singing ‘Allah Hoo Allah Jallay Shaan Allah.’ Their harmonious voices set a reverent tone that resonated with the audience.

There followed an enthralling instrumental segment featuring flutist Salman Adil and tabla maestro Sarfaraz Anwar, whose intricate interplay received thunderous applause. Santoor player Ali Raza further mesmerised listeners with a finely crafted solo performance.

The vocal segment was equally compelling. Classical singer Hassan Abbas delivered a masterful raag, fusing technical finesse with deep emotional expression. Later, Sarfaraz Anwar returned—this time as a vocalist—to render a powerful Raag Darbari that left a lasting impact.

A standout moment of the evening came with celebrated dancer Nighat Chaudhry’s evocative performance interpreting Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s revolutionary poem ‘Hum Dekhain Gey.’ Her dance beautifully merged poetry, music and movement, earning widespread acclaim from the audience.

Reflecting on the Trust’s journey, its President Iftikhar Rasheed spoke about its establishment in 2003 with contributions from six founding members. Now, with only three active trustees, he stressed the urgent need for public and corporate support to keep the mission alive.

“If we don’t nurture our raw talent, we risk losing a vital part of our cultural identity,” he cautioned. PNCA Director General Ayoub Jamali appreciated the Trust’s dedication and announced free music education opportunities for underprivileged students. PEMRA Chairman Saleem Baig lauded musicians as “social engineers” and pledged Rs. 500,000 to the Trust.