Newly found talent Tariq Amanat won the hearts of over 1,600 Ghazal aficionados at the Karachi Arts Council on Saturday 19th April 2014.
Canadian-Pakistani philanthropist and talent promoter Mr. Rohail Khan, Chairman, Musical Extravaganza, Inc, launched and co-sponsored the mega event in association with Merchant Productions, as a Tribute to Great Legend and Sufi Master Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
It was dawn of a new beginning for young Tariq Amanat who proved his worth by skilfully rendering the popular ghazals and qawwalis of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
His orchestra amused the audience with santoor and sitar jugalbandi and re-lived the age-old traditions set by the legendary Oriental Music Genius Amir Khusro seven centuries ago. Amir Khusro (1253 – 1325), Sufi musician, poet and scholar, is an iconic figure in the cultural history of the subcontinent. He invented multi-layered, ever-lasting, soulful music, long before Beethoven and Mozart.
The open-air lush theatre of Karachi Arts Council was aptly decorated for the occasion, Rohail Khan advised. “From 9 pm until 2 am, the presence of 1,600 multi-cultural and multi-national people from all walks of life along with Karachi’s tranquilizing sea breeze and rounds of Cappuccino made the evening nostalgically unforgettable.” he disclosed.
Inaugurating the mega event, Commissioner of Karachi H.E Shoaib Siddiqui outlined the need to promote traditional values and cultural ethos. Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat -ul- Ibad made it a point to send his deputy with a colourful bouquet to young Tariq Amanat as a token of his support.
Commissioner Siddiqui warmly applauded the continuation of new talent promotion initiated by Rohail Khan and Merchant Productions. The first of the series was launch of Imran Seher, Riyadh-based Pakistani Jagjit Singh, in October last year to commemorate the second death anniversary of Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh.
The event’s host, Kashif Grami, Chairman, Arts Council Youth Committee, offered rich tribute to Sufi Master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and enlightened the audience with his life and achievements.
Pakistani Film and T.V celebrities Mr. Anwer Iqbal and Miss Kiran Sadiq came on the stage and paid tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for his life-long commitment to propagate oriental music across the globe.
Professor Seher Ansari, internationally-acclaimed Urdu Poet and Scholar, fervently encouraged international talent promoters to bring forth new talent from Pakistan and abroad.
Dr. Aliya Imam, prominent social worker, reiterated: “Nusrat Fateh was a trend setter and his continued world-wide fame speaks volume of his greatness”.
For Tariq Amanat, it was a “dream come true”. A passionate ghazal singer, he enlivened the evening for five hours and inspired every one with his melodious rendering of ghazals, qawwalis, and geets of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
The event was graced by local businessmen, media personalities, intellectuals and socialites including, Prof. Ejaz Farooqi, President Arts Council of Pakistan, Anis Merchant, Jameel Paracha, Nazeer Qidwai, Wajahat Syed, Dr. Tahira Tariq, Dr. Shehla Ahmed, other VIPs.
Special guests visiting from abroad appreciated the event as a medium to promote Urdu culture and music.
Farid Ali Shah, investment banker from Riyadh, said: “The mega event has set new trends to offer well-deserved tribute to folk heroes and cultural icons.”
Umer Shibli, owner of an art gallery in London, stated: “Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan will be remembered forever by music lovers from all over the world. I urge the promoters to organize the next event in England”.
Shaikh Ghassan Al-Buloushi from Bahrain expressed: “I am mesmerized with Tariq Amanat’s rich voice and musical prowess”.
Ramesh Bhojani, composer and choreographer from Mumbai opined: “International media have shown extra ordinary interest in the Ghazal event. This is a positive sign for new talent from all cultures and backgrounds. A talent hunter myself, I am truly inspired”.
Professor Mehfooz Majumdar, author and music lover from Dacca said: “Nusrat Fateh’s mission to integrate semi-classical music with modern instruments made him eternally popular. Young Tariq has rendered his ghazals with utmost justice.”
Susan Tarablusi, musicologist from Beirut, confessed: “I am amazed with the majestic show of musical instruments and grateful for the hospitality of Pakistani people. Thanks to the promoters. I will come again”.
Mrs. Shahida Rajput, dental surgeon from Yanbu, uttered proudly “Tariq Amanat is a great find. His voice is so genuine.”
Special gratitude is due to Commissioner Karachi, Arts Council, 24.7 Brand, Merchant Productions, Rohail Khan Musical Extravaganza, and 1,600 valued guests from Pakistan and abroad, whose proactive participation was necessary to achieve this milestone.
Rohail Khan has announced: “Third event of the talent promotion series is in pipeline. We shall soon launch another newly-found gem from Saudi Arabia who excels in rendering semi-classical raagas and Sufi folk songs”.