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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 20, 2025 | The Indian Eye 26

Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan Mesmerizes

Chicago at Al Larson Prairie Center

OUR BUREAU prodigy Abhijeet Kastha demonstrated a masterful
command of rhythm, weaving intricate patterns that
Chicago, IL
complemented the maestro’s vocals with precision
n the enchanting evening of May 31, 2025, and flair. The seamless coordination between the art-
the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts ists created an immersive experience, transporting
Oin Schaumburg, Illinois, transformed into a the audience to the heart of India’s musical heritage.
sanctuary of soul-stirring melodies, as the legendary The event was graced by distinguished guests,
Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan took center stage for an including Nayab Hamid Ali Khan, son of the legend-
unforgettable night of Hindustani classical music, ary Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, and community leaders
Sufi, and ghazals. Organized by Khurram Syed un- such as Paul Chopra, Ramesh Punatar, Chris Veter-
der the esteemed banner of DK Omsheel Produc- an, and Syed Razi, alongside US and Indian Army
tion and with the gracious support of Chicago com- veterans. Their presence underscored the event’s
munity leader Mr. Iftekhar Sharif, the first overseas significance as a cultural milestone for Chicago’s
citizen of India, this cultural extravaganza, titled South Asian community. Although Mr. Iftekhar
Soulful Classical, Sufi & Ghazals, brought together Sharif, the chief guest, was unable to attend due to an
connoisseurs of music for a four-hour journey from unforeseen schedule change, the evening was hon-
8:00 PM to midnight. The event was a testament to ored by the presence of Amir Mohammed Khan,
the timeless allure of Indian classical music, weaving a renowned ghazal singer, as the Guest of Honor.
together tradition, artistry, and emotional depth. Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan’s performance was
The evening was masterfully hosted by Amin From the intricate taans of Raga Puriya Kalyan to not just a concert but a celebration of a legacy that
Haider, whose eloquent commentary and story- the emotive renditions of traditional and original spans continents. With over 15 albums to his name
telling added a profound layer to the experience. bandishes, such as “More Ghar Aaja” and “Ab To and performances across prestigious stages in the
Haider’s insightful introductions, peppered with Tumhi Sang Lagan Lagai,” his voice carried the UK, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China,
anecdotes from Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan’s il- weight of centuries-old traditions while infusing Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Thailand, Pakistan,
lustrious career, illuminated the maestro’s journey them with contemporary resonance. His perfor- Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman, the Us-
from a musically inclined youth to a globally revered mance was a seamless blend of technical preci- tad has carried the torch of Hindustani classical music
artist. One such story captivated the audience: a sion and emotional depth, reflecting the legacy of to global audiences. His contributions have earned
young Ustad, at just 16, faced the daunting chal- his mentors. His father Padmashri Ustad Ghulam him accolades such as the Central Fellowship Award
lenge of performing classical music a genre unfamil- Sadiq Khan a renowned Hindustani Classical Vo- from the Ministry of Culture, the Global Achieve-
iar to himat Delhi’s Daulat Ram College. Despite calist and his maternal grandfather Padmabhushan ment Award in 2017, and the Dr. Radhakrishnan
his inexperience, his innate talent shone through, Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan. Award in 2018. Notably, his performance at the Pres-
earning praise from none other than Pandit Debu The evening was further enriched by the soul- ident’s House during Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s tenure
Chaudhary, who paused the performance to per- ful performance of Chicago’s own Payel Ganguly, remains a highlight of his illustrious career.
sonally tune the tanpura, ensuring the young artist’s whose brief yet powerful presentation paid hom- The event’s success was bolstered by the gen-
brilliance was perfectly showcased. This anecdote age to the traditions that continue to inspire artists erous support of sponsors, including Masood Ali
set the tone for an evening that celebrated not just across generations. Her authentic and heartfelt ren- of Ali’s Catering, Ena Agnihotri of Radisson Ho-
music, but the resilience and passion of a maestro dition added a local flavor to the night, earning her tel in Schaumburg, Urdu Institute, Aftab Baig of
whose name is synonymous with excellence. resounding applause and cementing her place as a Monty’s Banquet, Windy City Pharmacies, South
Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan, a scion of the rising star in the classical music scene. Asian Seniors, United States Disability Cricket, and
Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, delivered a perfor- The musical ensemble was elevated by the ex- Universal Seniors Association. Their contributions
mance that was nothing short of transcendent. His ceptional accompaniment of Shehzad Marcus on ensured a flawless execution, making the evening a
mastery over khayal, thumri, dadra, Sufi kalams, keyboard, whose melodic flourishes provided a rich cherished memory for all attendees.
bhajans, and ghazals left the audience spellbound. backdrop to the vocal performances. Young tabla ---Asian Media USA

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