A musical evening with Ustad Ghulam Ali in Kathmandu

It some times so happen that when one meets a very special personality, he or she gets enthralled to the extent that he or she becomes hostage of the personality rather say a charismatic personage. For me, Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan is one such extraordinary South Asian singer whose songs practically have reverberated in my private house since 1984 December- to be precise. In fact it was this year that I was specially selected for a short trip to Islamabad by the Pak embassy here. However, reacting to the Embassy’s sudden decision, I put my conditions as well for the Pakistan’s unexpected trip. "I will go to Pakistan if the embassy manages my meeting with either the President of the Republic or Ustad Ghulam Ali", I told to the then Pakistan Ambassador. They found in my condition a big contrast. They laughed at me. I remained undeterred.

I finally met Ghulam Ali in his hometown Lahore at the Press Information Department. I had a long tete-a-tete with this enchanter. By then one of his songs, "Hangama hai kyun barpa, thodi si jo pee li hai" had become pretty popular in Kathmandu. Later came one of the most popular songs by Ustad Khan which was from the Indian film, NIKAH. The song is "Chupke chupke raat din aansoo bahana yaad hai". These two songs perhaps were very popular in Urdu/Hindi speaking population in South Asia and will continue to remain popular so for many decades.

Since then the way I’ve chosen for myself vis-à-vis the music is Ghulam Ali. Some Indian singers of international standing such as Lata, Jagjeet, Kavita Krishnamurthy too were my favourite.

In the beginning I have had to pay a very heavy price for this "’Ghulam Ali addiction". My kids- son and daughter developed some sort of allergy for me as I dominated their feelings regarding their choice for music or for that matter for songs by other celebrities. As time passed, my son and daughter got the point why I became almost sentimental when this singer was on idiot box, radio or even in CDs. The heart touching songs by this super star have always made me to believe that there is yet another world where one can relieve oneself from the worldly pains, mental agonies and anxieties. I must admit that Ali’s songs have given me new energy and vigor as and when I found myself in distress. However, the moments of pleasure far exceed moments of distress indeed. In essence, this "Ghulam Ali" factor has brought me closer to the Pakistani culture, which is so close to ours as well. Ghulam Ali is more popular in India though the two nations are not even in talking terms. Over these years, my son, currently in France who is there for his further studies in Masters in Electronic Engineering and my daughter who is at the moment with her husband in the United States, too got addicted to Ghulam Ali songs and happily they both have some audio cassettes of this South Asian personality with them. Undoubtedly, Ali’s songs have remained instrumental in bringing us all closer though we at the moment can not see each other.

This Saturday, Ambassador Fouzia Nasereen arranged an evening with this big shot from Pakistan. To recall, Ghulam Ali already had a presentation of his songs inside the ramparts of the Royal Palace. He must have made the King very happy I suppose.

On this fateful evening, I was just waiting for this singer, so close to my heart, to arrive at the gate of the Birendra Convention Center. Finally he was there and instantly recognized me. We embraced each other. Fine moments indeed. The presentation began with SUR SUDHA’s superb performance. Later came Ghulam Ali. I presented with some of my preferred songs to be vocalized by him. However he accommodated two of my choices-Hangama hai… and Chupke chupke…

The audience in the hall was kept spell bound by Ali’s songs. The music, the hidden messages in the songs, the richness contained therein in the Urdu words and the singer’s charming personality and the presentation, all put together the evening became memorable. Later I personally requested the Pakistani star to pose photographs with me and my wife to which he accepted. My friend at the Bangladesh embassy Mr. Abdul Kader Khan and his lady also felt honored when this Pak celebrity posed photographs with them. According to Counselor Khan, musicians and singers of the sort of Ghulam Ali must be respected irrespective of their country of origin, religion and the likes. A serious comment indeed.

Thus the evening with Ghulam Ali ended bringing once again the culture of Nepal and Pakistan closer and that was perhaps the motive behind this musical arrangement. A grand success indeed.

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