ISLAMABAD: The Asian Study Group (ASG) hosted a wonderful sing-along session at the Serena Hotel, with the extremely versatile Khalid Tirmizi and his band of accomplished musicians.

Tirmizi’s repertoire included vintage film songs sung by the likes of Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Hemant Kumar and ghazals and Geets sung by Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Noor Jehan.

The concert marked the end of the ASG 2014-15 year.

ASG President Parveen Malik said: “The country has undergone numerous traumas in the recent months and we thought it was important to bring some cheer into our lives with a musical journey through time. Khalid Tirmizi has been brought back to perform for ASG from Abbottabad on popular demand.”

Khalid Tirmizi, who is famous for his ability to engage the audience in his performances, said: “It is a privilege for us to be here and play before such an august gathering.”

Introducing his band he said: “On the keyboard we have Anis Khan, the dholak is played by Mr Multani and playing the harmonium is my teacher, Ustad Ghulam Raza Khan.”

Setting the mood of the evening with a song from the movie Saranga, released in 1961, Tirmizi crooned, Saranga Teri Yaad Mein Nain Hue Bechain, taking the audience with him on a nostalgic trip.

Interspersing anecdotes, poetry and conversation between songs he moved on to ‘evening’ songs, saying, “It is now acceptable to move to Kalyan Thaat since it was after 6pm. I have selected my songs like flowers for a bouquet and I will present each flower to you one after the other.”

Moving on to Jagjit Singh, Tirmizi then sang Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum, a choice that had the audience burst into applause mid-song. Without a break he segued into a song made famous by Lata Mangeshkar, Hum Bhool Gaye Har Baat Magar Tera Pyar Nahin Bhoole.

The sequence continued with Jaane Woh Kaise Log The Jinke Pyar Ko Pyar Milla followed by Hemant Kumar’s ‘Na Tum Hamein Jano Na Hum Tumhein Janein’.

By this stage in the evening some members of the audience were singing along with Tirmizi while others were writing down the names of old favourites that they wanted him to sing. It was a charming reminder of the days when lyrics of songs had meaning and were unforgettable.

Moving on to other equally memorable pieces, Tirmizi sang Ye Raat Ye Chandni from the 1952 movie Jaal and ‘Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja’ from the 1954 film Nagin. He then sang Talat Mahmood’s Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Barha which is transposed on a Beethoven symphony.

Tirmizi said: “I am not singing but sharing memories with you. I would go to listen to Rafi Sahab and Talat Sahab whenever I could. I heard him sing this next song, ‘Bechain Nazar, Betaab Jigar.”

“I was in primary school when this song came out and I used to sing it then as well. I think about how we used to like these songs when we were young and now I don’t understand what has happened,” he said, introducing Jalte Hain Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon Ke Diye.

Moving on to requests, Tirmizi was inundated with sheets of paper from which he sang Baharon Phool Barsao, Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Me Hum, Ai Dil Kissi Ki Yaad Mein, Husan ko Chand Jawani ko Chaman Kehte Hain, Zindagi Me to Sabhi Pyar Kiya Karte Hain amongst others.

Aliya Mansur, who requested Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabat Na Maang, said: “This was a lovely evening as Tirmizi captured the hearts of his listeners. His selection of songs was perfect for the journey through time.”

Yasser Noman said: “This is our musical heritage – the poetry, composition and instrumentals are our assets. Evenings like these breathe new life into these assets. This is a way of preserving these treasures and also paying tribute to these artists. Interestingly you can also hear that the older music is still rich and sounds fresh. It is harder and harder to find artists like Tirmizi and his band who know these songs.”

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2015

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