Dhamaal mesmerises audience at NAG

ISLAMABAD - The jam-packed auditorium of National Art Gallery was mesmerised by the dance performances on the most popular rhythms of 'Dhamaal, and 'Dam mast qalandar, once sang by renowned singer Ustad Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan. Zarqa Chaudhry has choreographed both the dances. The Sufi musical show entitled Sufi Mela was organised by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) here on Wednesday night with the artists of the National Performing Arts Group presenting a devotional dance on Hazrat Amir Khusraus poetic verse 'Aaj rung hae. In fact, the young lot of singers and three seniors including Tarranum Naz, Jumman Faqir Group from Sindh and Sain Mushtaq spellbound the audience with the mystic colours of singing. Fortunately, the audience at large could not feel the absence of some big names in the singing including Humaera Arshad, Rajab Ali, Rahat Multanikar, Sain Zahoor, and Iqbal Bahu. The PNCA had wrongly publicised their consecutive performance on two days. However, many felt bad taste in the mouth. Perhaps that is why the compere of the show consoled the audience by saying very politely that they had been deceived by the PNCA management. He assured the audience that they could witness their performance next day. Jumman Fakir and his three companions sang 'Sur Latif, the vais of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in the traditional form on 'Dhamboora. Briefing the audience, Tauseeq Haider, the anchor of the show, said these 'vais are sung usually after the sunset till late night at the tomb of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. The powerful rendition by Sain Mushtaq on his Chimta took the show to full swing, followed by Mahmooda Qamar sinning Amir Khusraus song 'Chaap tilak sub cheen li ray muhay naina milaye kay, and 'Allah janay payar na janay. She is groomed by the PNCA and has won best singer award twice. Adeel Burki delighted the audience by Hazrat Shams Tabrezis well-known 'kafi, 'Allah Hu and with the popular 'Dhamaal Sakhi Shahbaz Qalandar. Rizwana Khan and Mohsin Shaukat Ali were the other young ones who showed their best singing talent with powerful mystic poetic verse. The outstanding performance by Tarranum Naz and Sanam Marvi was the main attraction of the show, particularly the 'Dhammal, which Tarranum Naz sang at the end of her performance. Tarranum Naz had the honour to be the only pupil of the legendary singer, Madam Noor Jahan. Sanam Marvi started singing at the age of 7 and now she has full grip over her singing Sufis like Sachal Sarmast and others. She seems to be on the footprint of renowned mystic singer, Abida Parveen. PNCA Director General Tauqir Nasir, in his opening remarks, said that the objective of the 'Sufi Mela was to send message of peace and brotherhood across the country. It is the Sufis and spiritual leaders of the subcontinent, who spread peace and tranquillity in the region. We want to continue the tradition the way we could, he noted adding that Pakistan also wants to convey that it is a land of peace and peace should prevail in the world. Many aspired to have a 'Sufi Mela in real terms with several events and rendition of Sufi message in different forms instead of a Sufi musical show, which the PNCA termed as the 'Mela. There are many, who are promoting the same cause but in different form, might have been part of it to make it inclusive and a much better event.