KARACHI: Some very fine young musicians took part on Saturday in the final phase of the National Academy of Performing Arts’ (Napa) young directors and music showcase.

The concert began with Muhammad Zubair singing the ghazal ‘Ik khalish ko hasil-i-umr-i-rawan rehney dia’. It was nice to see sitar player and head of Napa’s music department Nafees Ahmed joining the young vocalist on stage because one of the musicians had not turned up. As far as the singing goes, it has to be said that Zubair has potential. But he needs to understand that in ghazal singing the second line of a verse or couplet needs to be given as much attention as the first.

Zubair was followed by 18-year-old tabla player Asim Saleem. He impressed the audience a lot. The most noticeable aspect of his performance was that he himself was enjoying his stint on stage. The lad played the tabla with style and an innate sense of rhythm.

Next up was even a younger boy, 14-year-old sitar player Shahzad Hussain. His rendition of raag des was ample proof of the fact that the future of classical music in Pakistan is not bleak. He oozed with confidence, which translated into his presentation of the raga.

Gul Muhammad has now established himself as one of the country’s finest young sarangi nawaz. He proved that on Saturday as well with his composed rendition of raag kerwani.

Vocalist Nadir Abbas brought the concert back from instrumentals to the singing mode. He sang raag jog. He has been associated with Napa for a long time and has improved a great deal over the years. He sang well and in terms of the audience’s response, clearly was the most popular performer of the evening.

The last musician was tabla player Yousuf Bashir. His effort also vindicated music lovers’ optimism for the future of classical music in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn January 23rd, 2017