‘Nothing can replace classical music’
Classical music has its own place, it is not a fad which comes and goes, rather it is the skeleton on which South Asian music genres develop their themes, said Arts Council of Pakistan President Muhammad Ahmed Shah.
He was speaking at a condolence meeting held in the memory of senior music teacher Idrees Hussain Jafari, Ghiasuddin Afsar, and ghazal singer Feroz Akhtar in the Arts Council Lobby Area.
Besides Shah, Muhammad Ali, Mazhar Umrao Bundo Khan, Wasim Feroze, Akhlaq Bashir, Iqbal Latif, Bashir Khan Saduzai, Salman Alvi, Faisal Nadeem, Waheed Vicky, Abdul Basit spoke on the occasion while Noman Khan moderated the session.
Shah said that Feroz Akhtar was a great man. Idrees Jafari also stayed in our academy. Ghiasuddin Afsar was an expert in his work.
He said that the Arts Council belongs to the artists. No music can take the place of classical music, it has its place. "We have provided artistes a home like atmosphere," Shah said adding that besides the artists, the council is there to help their children too.
Expressing his views, Mohammad Ali said that Idrees Jafari was unique in his work as well as in playing solo. Iqbal Latif said that man is not known by name but by work.
Salman Alvi said no one has the selection and collection of ghazals like that of Feroze Akhtar.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2022.