Pak Ghasal Singer Ghulam Ali, Son Perform In Kerala Despite Shiv Sena Protest
15 Janauary, Thiruvananthapuram
Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali and his son Aamir Ali performed a musical concert at Nishagandhi auditorium here this evening even as Shiv Sena activists burned Pakistan flag and shouted slogans against him outside the venue.
Police used water canon to disperse the Shiv Sena activists who tried to take out a demonstration to the venue shouting ‘Pakistani singer go back.’
The musical concert — Chandni Ki Rat Gulam Ali Kay Sath — was jointly inaugurated by a group of seven eminent personalities including Jnanpith awardee ONV Kurup at 1815 hrs.
The Ghazal Maestro was assisted by a ten-member group including singer Pandit Viswanathan, Aamir Ali and Pianist Sajad Hussain. Musicians and dignitaries from various walks of life attended the reception. Music composer M Jayachamdran’s fusion songs enthralled the audience before the performance of the Gazhal maestro.
The Ghazal legend is in Kerala on invitation of social cultural organisation Swaralaya and programmes were arranged in association with Grand Kerala Shopping Festival Directorate.
Ghulam Ali, who is also a Chief Guest of Kerala Government, was given a rousing reception last evening, in which Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, Deputy Opposition leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also attended.
He also received the first Swaralaya Global Legendary Award from the Chief Minister during the occasion.
“This day is an important one in my 55 years of singing on stage. This is the first time I am coming to Kerala. I have been showered with so much of live by my Malayalee brothers’; Ali said after receiving the award.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena workers burned the effigy of the singer last evening, demanding cancellation of the proposed concert in the wake of tragic death of Malayali Lt Col Niranajan in Pathancode terror attack.
They threatened to disrupt the events by the Pakistani singer, who earlier cancelled his programmes in Mumbai and Pune following their protest.
Ghulam Ali will also perform another programme in Kozhikode on January 17.