Arts Council Karachi Pays Tribute to Ustad Abdullah Khan and Lyricist Muhammad Nasir

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, through its Music Committee, organized a commemorative ceremony in honor of legendary shehnai maestro Ustad Abdullah Khan and renowned lyricist Muhammad Nasir at Haseena Moin Hall. The event paid tribute to the remarkable artistic legacies of both figures, whose contributions left a lasting imprint on Pakistan’s musical heritage.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a special documentary highlighting the life, artistry, and enduring contributions of Ustad Abdullah Khan. A selection of popular songs written by Muhammad Nasir was also presented through video performances by various artists, receiving warm appreciation from the audience.

The event drew a large gathering of prominent members of the music fraternity. Among the speakers were President Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah; Dr. Huma Mir; Jalal Sheikh; Mumtaz Sabzal; Farzana Gul; Nasir Farooq; Ameen Qureshi; Bakhshan Mehranvi; Ghulam Abbas; Aroosa Ali; Ustad Mahmood Ali Khan; Farhan Rais Khan; Muhammad Ibrahim; Shazia Shabana Kausar; Anina Fida; Amjad Shah; and Shoaib Nasir. The ceremony was moderated by Vice Chairman of the Music Committee, Noman Khan.

In his address, Muhammad Ahmed Shah expressed concern over the passing of many eminent artists, noting that only a few master practitioners remain in each traditional musical discipline today. He emphasized the vital role of cultural institutions in preserving classical music traditions. Praising Ustad Abdullah Khan as a distinguished shehnai virtuoso from a young age, he stressed the urgent need to safeguard the instrument’s legacy. Shah also acknowledged Abdullah Khan’s significant national standing and assured that he would approach the Sindh government to support the livelihood of the late artist’s family.

Speaking about Muhammad Nasir, Shah remarked that the lyricist’s work exists both in written form and in the hearts of audiences, reflecting the depth of his artistic influence.

Amjad Hussain Shah observed that the tribute video only captured a portion of Nasir’s vast body of work, describing him as a remarkable lyricist whose compositions resonated deeply and gained international recognition despite challenging circumstances. Muhammad Ibrahim referred to both Nasir and Abdullah Khan as priceless cultural treasures and praised the Arts Council’s growth under Muhammad Ahmed Shah’s leadership, noting its rise to international standards.

Ghulam Abbas highlighted Nasir’s nationwide popularity, emphasizing his mastery of multiple poetic forms. Ustad Mahmood Ali Khan spoke of Abdullah Khan’s profound devotion to his art and commended the Arts Council for honoring both living and departed artists. Bakhshan Mehranvi fondly recalled a moving performance of Raag Kedaar by Abdullah Khan that brought audiences to tears, lamenting that his talent was not fully utilized.

Shoaib Nasir noted that many of Muhammad Nasir’s songs and compositions remain widely cherished and revealed that he had been nominated for the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance Award.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the family, Abdullah Khan’s brother, Ghulam Muhammad, thanked the Arts Council President for organizing the tribute. The ceremony also featured musical renditions of Abdullah Khan’s poetry by his nephew Irfan Ali and singer Farzana Gul, performances that were warmly received by attendees.

The commemorative gathering served as a heartfelt tribute to two towering figures of Pakistan’s musical heritage, celebrating their enduring artistic legacies and reaffirming the importance of preserving the country’s rich cultural traditions.