Ghulam Ali set to sing ghazals in Gujarat

Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali is poised to perform in India again, despite the recent cancellation of a number of his concerts and the music launch of his first film as actor.

The 75-year-old ghazal maestro has been invited to perform at a four-day cultural event, where awards will be given out to Ali and nine other famous artistes.

The event, which will run from March 19 to March 22 at Talgajarda village, has been organised by a trust run by religious leader Morari Bapu in the Bhavnagar district in Gujarat, reports Indian Express.

The awards will be presented by Shree Chitrakutdham Trust, run by Bapu, at Talgajarda village, said his close aide and event organiser Harishchandra Joshi.

“Ali along with five others will be given ‘Hanumant Award’ on the concluding day of the event (March 22). Ali will perform once during the four-day event. He had performed here in the past also,” said Joshi.

Four other recipients of Hanumant Award, being given for the last 10 years, include classical dancer and Lok Sabha MP Hema Malini and famous sitarist Debu Chaudhary, added Joshi.

“Film actor Dharmendra along with three other artists will be given ‘Natraj Award’ for their contribution in their chosen field, while Vadodara-based sculpture-maker Nagji Patel will be honoured with ‘Kailash Lalit Kala Award’ on March 22,” said Joshi.

Despite staunch opposition from the Shiv Sena, who made headlines due to their hostility towards Pakistani artistes working in India last year, Ghulam Ali has remained an advocate of Pak-India cultural exchange. His concert in Kolkata in January went off without a hitch and he is contributing to the soundtrack of Mahesh Bhatt's play Milne Do.