Ghulam Ali mesmerises Lucknow audience

Lucknow: Ghazhal maestro Ghulam Ali regaled the audience with his popular numbers on the concluding day of Lucknow Mahotsava here today.

His performance went off peacefully despite threats by Shiv Sena, which had forced cancellation of his concert in Mumbai last year.

On Shiv Sena forcing cancellation of his show in Mumbai, the Pakistani ghazhal maestro said, “I am not angry. I love these people and I know that love can change perception.”

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, who was present at the function, said music is not country specific and it is a unifying force. He said music is a “universal language”.

The Lucknow police ensured that Ali’s performance this evening was not disturbed by the saffron outfit.

The Pakistani singer earlier offered a ‘chadar’ at Dada Miyan’s dargah here and prayed for peace between India and Pakistan.

UP Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey was also present at the concluding ceremony of Lucknow Mahotsava.