RAWALPINDI: Quratulain, 12, captivated the audience with her skillful performance, forcing them to catch a glimpse of her.
She was performing at a ‘Talent Hunt Singing Competition’ organised to promote the unexplored, raw talent of young artists of the Potohar region at Rawalpindi Arts Council on Sunday.
Hundreds of people with their families thronged the arts council to enjoy the singing of young female artists of the region. They also took pleasure in the performance of a renowned sitar player Ustad Abdul Latif Khan. The event was organised by Lok Virsa in collaboration with National Development and Management Council under an ongoing Joint Institutional Cooperation between Pakistan and Norway.
Quratulain sang four songs from the genres of Geet, Ghazal, Classical and Folk.
Talking to The Express Tribune, she said, “I started singing at the age of seven and was fortunate enough to have a family that supported my passion for music.”
She has also performed in concerts organised by Radio Pakistan and the state-run television.
The young singer was part of a batch of 33 women who demonstrated their talent in front of a large number of spectators on Sunday.
Three cash and eight consolation prizes were given to the winners by a jury comprising music gurus. The remaining participants received shields for taking part in the event.
Artists who gave special performance were Ustad Abdul Latif Khan, Ustad Mehfooz Khokar, Ustad Rustam Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.
Ustad Latif Khan mesmerised a select gathering with his performance of the sitar, a musical instrument that has taken him to many countries of the world including India, the place of its (sitar) origin.
The organisers of the programme said the event provided a forum to young women to express themselves, show their talent and win recognition at the national level.
Javaid Hamid, 40, who came with his family to watch the show, told The Express Tribune that due to the event, they got to spend their Sunday in a memorable way. Anees Ahmad, a college student, said he had come along with his four friends and enjoyed the show immensely.
Sharing his views, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan said, “Classical music is a symbol of our cultural heritage. These singers are a valuable asset of our country and have devoted their lives for this purpose,” he said.
In a message, the Norwegian ambassador to Pakistan Robert Kvile said, “Our objective is to help preserve and strengthen Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
The core of our relationship is our development cooperation, which is now in its fourth decade.” The diplomat lauded the services of Lok Virsa as a leading Pakistani partner for cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Norway.
Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid said his institution works in close collaboration with all regional and community-based organisations in order to document and preserve indigenous folk culture and musical traditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2011.
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