The curtain fell on the 15th Tehzeeb Festival with a cascade of unforgettable performances, echoing through the hallowed halls of the Zia Mohyeddin Theatre at NAPA this Sunday. Jointly organised by the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) and Tehzeeb Foundation, the festival paid homage to the timeless spirit of classical music and cultural heritage.
The evening opened with a soul-stirring rendition by Zara Madani, who breathed life into Sufi Tabassum’s iconic ghazal “Woh Mujh Se Hua Hum Kalam.” Her voice set the tone for a night steeped in reverence and artistry.
Sharif Awan of Tehzeeb Foundation reflected on a musical era that ended with the passing of Ustad Bashir Khan. In a poignant tribute, Yousuf Bashir offered a solo tabla performance, a rhythmic elegy to his late mentor. Shahid Ali followed with Sitar-e-Kalam, weaving poetry into strings.
From across the border, a special recording of Meeta Pandit’s Khayal and Tappa added a cross-cultural resonance. The evening reached its crescendo with Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and Izzat Fateh Ali Khan’s powerful Khayal and Tarana, leaving the audience spellbound.
As with the festival’s opening night, the auditorium erupted in applause-a collective salute to the enduring magic of music.
