JCSAL remembers Begum Akhtar, Faiz Ahmed

Dharmesh Nargotra singing Faiz’s ghazal during a function on Tuesday.
Dharmesh Nargotra singing Faiz’s ghazal during a function on Tuesday.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 7: Jammu Civil Society for Art and Literature (JCSAL), in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, organized a Mehfil-e-Mausiqi here today in memory of legendry Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed ‘Faiz’ and Ghazal Queen Begum Akhtar.
The programme began with Vishakha Bhardwaj singing in her mellifluous voice two famous ghazals originally sung by Begum Akhtar ‘Ai Mohabbat Tere Anjaam Pe Rona Aaya’ by Shakeel Badayuni and ‘Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qaraar Tha’ by Momin Khan ‘Momin’.
Later, well known singer Dharmesh Nargotra regaled the audience by singing ghazals of Faiz Ahmed ‘Faiz’. He began with ‘Aaye kuchh abr kuchh sharab aaye’ and followed it up with ‘Ab key yun dil ko saza di hum ne’. He also sang ‘Tum aaye ho na shab-e-intzaar guzri hai’ and ‘Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-naubahaar chale’
A number of Nazms and Ghazals recited by Faiz in his own voice were played during the programme.
Well known musicians who accompanied the singers,  included Rakesh Anand on Flute, Joginder Pal on Tabla, Vikas Nagar on Guitar, Bunty Panhotra on Synthesiser and Manmohan on Harmonium.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr  Aziz Hajni, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages lauded the efforts of JCSAL in organising a programme in memory of two legends of the sub-continent.
Renowned Punjabi writer,  Khalid Hussain said that the aim of JCSAL was to promote peace and fraternity through art, music and literature.
Mohammed Aslam Qureshi, president of JCSAL, said that many more similar programmes were being envisaged by the organisation to highlight the secular traditions that are an integral part of any artistic endeavour.
The programme was conducted by well known cultural critic Ravinder Kaul.
The programme was attended by well known cultural activists and prominent citizens of Jammu including Qayoom Manhas, Mohd. Amin Anjum, D P Khajuria, Gulzar Ahmed Qureshi, Prof  Mohd. Ayub, Sohail Kazmi, Khursheed Kazmi, O P Gupta, Vijay Sharma. Anwar Mirza and Iqbal Malik.