Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — It was pure musical magic that mesmerized the audience. A magic created by Sahabzada Ustad Nizam Ali Khan, who with his singing created frenzy among the audience as they moved to the beats of the night. Nizam Ali Khan was regaling Urdu lovers of the city for one last final time with the rendition of romantic ghazals to spiritual nazms and qawwalis prior to his departure from the Kingdom.
He paid tribute to the new, evolving culture of unity in diversity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the function hosted by Telangana community members to bid him farewell.
Mirza Qudrath Nawaz Baig welcomed the audience and different community members with a couplet “sau chand bhi chamkenge to kya baat banegi, aaplog jo aaye hain to is raat ki auqaat banegi”.
Several prominent members of different communities and organizations from Jeddah and Urdu lovers attended the felicitation ceremony called “Jashn-e-Nizam Ali Khan”. The program aimed at highlighting Nizam’s contribution to the Indian community and his passion for singing that has enthralled people for the last 30 years.
Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman, a senior Congress member from India, said, “Ustad Nizam Ali Khan has a magical voice that captures the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Urdu lovers. Ustad Nizam is a component of Deccan School of Urdu Ghazal carrying forward the tradition of Wali Deccani and Quli Qutub Shah.”
Aijaz Ahmed Khan said, “Ustad Nizam Ali Khan spread message of love and Fraternity. All these 30 years he spread happiness and harmony.”
In his welcome address the convener of the program, Dr. Syed Ali Mahmood said, “Hyderabad has a rich culture of Urdu Adab (literature) with a blend of music and art. People of Hyderabad reached the soul of Urdu ghazal and captured the spirit. And much credit for this understanding goes to Ustad Nizam who not only developed taste for ghazals but also inculcated the philosophy of Urdu poetry. He is truly Shahenshah of Urdu Ghazal of Deccan.”
Paying tribute to Nizam’s singing he said, “Nizam touched the soul of ghazals. Whatever success and fame Nizam has gained is because of his beautiful voice and perfect understanding of different genre of Urdu poetry.”
Mohammed Shameem Kausar said, “Nizam Ali has proved himself as a legendry singer and has performed several live concerts in different European, North American and Gulf countries. I am confident that he will attain dazzling popularity back home in India where he will draw a larger audience and reach great heights.”
Later Nizam was invited on the stage through a couplet “qadam qadam pe bichhe hain gulab palkoun ke, chale bhi aao ki hum intezar karte hai”, and an emotional Nizam expressed his thanks and gratitude to the people of Jeddah for all the love and respect that they had showered on him all these years.
While sharing his journey, he said, “I have learned recitation and music from four different renowned ghazal singers, including Ustad Mehdi Hasan. It was only after that he was bestowed the title of ustad (teacher) upon him.
He expressed his deep sorrow on bidding adieu to the people of Jeddah. “It was my home. Whatever I am today is because of the people of Jeddah cutting across regional, national religious lines. It was a very special bonding that I enjoyed with several communities and groups here,” he said, adding, “His departure will not end the relationship. I am carrying fond memories with me in my heart. They will be my motivation and guiding factor.”
In his performance he poured his heart out in each and every rendition. He showed his versatility by creating different moods in short span of time. If “Damadam Mast Qalandar” created frenzy among the audience and brought them on their feet then his “Main Tera Shaher Chod Jaonga” (I will leave your city) brought tears to the audiences’ eyes. His “Chap Tilak” created a pandemonium in the hall.
Nizam rendered a series of numbers on request, but his “Aish O Rahat Se Milo, Mauj E Sahil Se Milo; Sab Se Mil Aaye Ho To Ek bar Mere Dil Se Milo” brought about rapturous applause. As every show has an end and so did Jashn E Nizam Ali Khan. Nizam, in this concert, enthralled the crowds, and the evening will surely be etched in everyone’s memory for many years to come.
Dr. Sayeed Ali Mahmood along with other prominent community members presented Ustad Nizam Ali Khan with memento. A Shawl was presented to the tablist, Wajid Ali Sahab by Asif Rameez Daudi (IISJ Chairman) and Mir Tahir Ali (Management Committee, IISJ).
Few Community members, including Mir Arif Ali, Mahmoud Misri, Syed Khaja Viqaruddin, Munawwar Khan, Mohd Ishaq, Syed Afzal, Salahuddin Seth, Ubaidur Rahman, Mohd Habib, Zakir Qadri, Mohd Abdul Qayyum, Idrees Ahmed Fareedi, Mir Mahmood Ali and Imad Siddiqui, presented Nizam Ali Khan shawls and bouquets on behalf of their organizations.
The second session of the program was anchored by Amer Abdul Ghaffar Siddiqui and Idrees Ahmed Faridi. It started with the tribute to Nizam by few local singers of Jeddah who included his elder son Fareed Ali Khan, Abdul Rafey, Imaduddin Amjad, Wasim Muqaddam, Afroz and Younus Baig, who sang some famous old songs. The vote of thanks was delivered by Nadeem Abdul Basith.
