Musical night: A memorable night with visually-impaired musical maestros

The event was organised to dispel misconceptions about people with disabilities.

ISLAMABAD:

The Sham-e-Mouseeqi (musical night) at FAST-NU was memorable not only for the beautiful music, but also the impact that it had on the audience.

They were compelled to challenge their preconceived notions and forced to acknowledge that visual impairment, or any other disability for that matter, cannot keep back those with passion.

The hall echoed with the voices of the artists, some of whom had come from as far away as Lahore. Those in attendance were forced to acknowledge that the skill of the visually-impaired artists was of professional standard. Each song was showered with thunderous applause.

Worth mentioning is the performance of Adnan Ahmed, who covered Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Kaisa yeh ishq hai … Ajab sa ishq hai”. His performance was so moving that members of the audience gave him a standing ovation.

The founding member of the Fast Society of Social Awareness, Umer Yaqoob Minhaz, himself virtually-impaired, said that the event was organised to create awareness among people, and dispel their preconceived notions of those suffering from visual impairment. He said that all the funds generated from the event will go towards the welfare of people with visual impairments.

Adnan, a performer, said, “I don’t think that my blindness is an impediment in the way of my art. I am as much artist as any other man.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2011.