Jammu, Dec 10: As soon as Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, one of the finest exponents of ghazal and classical singing from Pakistan, variegated the pitch of his voice through his famous couplet ‘Laagi Ray, Tu Say Laagi Najar Sayyan Lagi…’ on Saturday evening, jam-packed audience at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University applauded him incessantly.
The legendary ghazal singer sang some of his highly acclaimed numbers including ‘Mainu Tera Jiya Sohna Hor Labda Na….’ and ‘Honton Pay Kabhi Unk Mera Naam Bhi Aaye’ during the inaugural function of the two-day-long cultural festival ‘Jashan-e-Faiz’.
The festival has been organised by Jammu Civil Society for Art and Literature in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Research, New Delhi (ICCR) and University of Jammu in connection with centenary celebrations of Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s birth anniversary. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who inaugurated the festival, chairman legislative council, ministers, legislators, academicians, dignitaries from administration, civil society, poets and ghazal lovers, fans of Faiz Ahmad Faiz and others seemed to be in rapture as long as the lyric continued.
The classical music enthusiasts remained glued to their seats and they continued to enjoy the melodious performance of Ustad Hamid Ali Khan till late evening.
As Ustad Hamid made his famous couplet “Jahan Jahan Teri Zulfon Ki Aus Tapki Thee waha gubaare…” jam-packed audience was left spellbound with ghazal lovers appreciating it with ovation.
Distinguished Urdu poets of the sub-continent have descended on Jammu to participate in this cultural extravaganza. As many as 25 renowned poets from India and Pakistan are participating in the function, organised with sole objective to revive the cultural bonds between the two countries.
Maestros of Urdu poetry from India and Pakistan have come to trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir to regale the audiences with their verses “loaded with the message of peace and love”.
Noted singer Seema Anil Sehgal didn’t attend the festival as she was not keeping well. In a statement, she said, “I have been suffering from laryngitis and I cannot sing”.
Earlier, the Chief Minister called for greater Indo-Pak inter-society contacts terming it essential for improving relations between the two neighbours.
“The government efforts in this direction will only bear fruit when the societies of the two nations contribute positively and willingly and get widely involved in this stupendous task”, he said adding that the civil societies have all the more important role to play to achieve this cherished goal.
Omar said that the participation and visit by poets, literary persons, artists and other such people from one country to another would give forward push to the cultivation of more friendly relations between the two neighbours.
He said that the regular contacts between the members of civil societies of the two countries would also help to remove the doubts from the hearts and cultivate friendly and cordial atmosphere to live in peace and harmony.
“If Jashan-e-Faiz would facilitate this trend, it would be a great tribute to the world famous Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz who had great relations with Jammu and Kashmir and its people”, he said adding that late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah stood witness to the Nikkah of Faiz Ahmad Faiz.
Omar appreciated the initiative of Jammu Civil Society for Art and Literature in this regard and expressed hope that it would provide further opportunities of exchange of literary personalities, poets and artists between the two countries in future. “Government would extend full support in this regard”, he added.
The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the celebration of Jashan-e-Faiz would inculcate the interest in new generation to study the works of famous poets and give boost to literary activities in the State. He asked the society to make such events permanent schedule in their calendar of social activities.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST