KARACHI, March 23: Music enthusiasts on Thursday night felt the absence of eminent tabla players on the opening night of the fourth annual music festival -- currently underway -- organized by the All Pakistan Music Conference at the Hindu Gymkhana.

Noted tabla player Ustad Abdus Sattar Tari was on the list of maestros scheduled to perform on opening night, but did not show up. What made matters worse was that Ustad Bashir Khan, another eminent tabla player, was also not available at the time.

“Without a great tabla player, the performance of any great artist and singer turns out to be less awe-inspiring and captivating,” said a music lover.

Nonetheless, people turned up in great numbers to enjoy the classical music and singing. Visitors appreciated the event and said a positive point of the programme was that it was open for all, unlike some cultural events being held in the city which were being organized for the elite.

The conference was opened with a captivating performance by Allah Lok of Faisalabad on pakhavaj, followed by flute player Ustad Salamat Hussain and vocalists Fareeda Khanum and Ustad Naseeruddin Saami.