Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made it a point to welcome and felicitate popular Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, who was forced to cancel his show in Mumbai following protests by Shiv Sena.
Having learnt that the renowned artiste was performing at a function organised by leading Hindi daily Amar Ujala in Lucknow on Saturday, Akhilesh ordered that the security be tightened.
Akhilesh invited Ghulam Ali to his official residence, where he honoured the maestro with a shawl. The CM also assured him of his government’s full support in staging any number of concerts in Uttar Pradesh.
Subsequently, accompanied by his wife Dimple, the CM attended the programme where he spent more than an hour listening to Ali’s compositions.
Showering him with praise, Akhilesh said, “Art and artists cannot be bound by religious or geographical boundaries and there should be no politics on talent or art.”
Expressing his gratitude for facilitating his concert in Lucknow, Ghulam Ali told the CM, “It is an honour for me to perform in Lucknow, which has a special place in my heart.” He went on to add in a lighter vein, “Well, you have to be very careful while performing in this city of tehzeeb (culture).”
Before the concert began, the maestro assured Akhilesh, “Jab tak zindagi hai, hum aur aap zaroor milte rehenge, Inshahallah. (God willing we will continue to meet each other as long as we live.).”
Image: UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav welcomes Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali. Photograph: @yadavakhilesh/Twitter
