Ghulam Ali to perform in Lucknow today

Lucknow is all set to roll out the red carpet for Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali whose performances in Mumbai and Pune had been cancelled earlier this week

Famous for its Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (cultural diversity), Lucknow is all set to roll out the red carpet for Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali whose shows in Mumbai and Pune had to be cancelled earlier this week following the Shiv Sena’s threats.

Ghulam Ali is scheduled to perform at a function in Lucknow on Saturday. This would be his second show in Uttar Pradesh in six months. (File photo)

Ali is scheduled to perform at a function at a city hotel on Saturday. It would be his second performance in Uttar Pradesh in six months.

Earlier this year, the Pakistani singer made history of sorts by performing at the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in Varanasi on April 9. It was the first performance by any Pakistani artiste at the historical temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Kashi, came to a standstill the day Ghulam Ali sang at the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, an annual music festival at the temple.

When the Pakistani singer sang the number ‘chupke chukpe raat din’, the entire temple campus echoed with applause.

Ali was scheduled to perform at a concert in Mumbai in a tribute to the late ghazal king Jagjit Singh. But the organisers of the event decided to cancel Ali’s performance after Shiv Sena’s objection.