Ghulam Ali makes exception for Lucknow on Indian request

LUCKNOW (Web Desk) - Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, who had announced plans to scrap his upcoming concerts in India, has agreed to perform at the Lucknow Mahotsav on December 3, Lucknow district administration said on Thursday.

Ghulam Ali, who was scheduled to perform in Delhi on November 8, cancelled his forthcoming shows on Wednesday, saying he did not want to get involved in any kind of politics.

Read more: Ghulam Ali’s concert cancelled in New Delhi

The Lucknow Mahotsava Samiti, however, spoke to the singer’s son later in the day and got a confirmation, The Hindu reported.

“The Lucknow Mahotsava Samiti talked to Ghulam Ali’s son Aamir last night at about 10.30 p.m. and he has confirmed that on Dec 3, Ali will perform in Mahotsava here,” District Magistrate, Rajshekhar told PTI.

“He will send the confirmation on his letter head along with a video message”, he added.

The 74-year-old singer’s son Aamir had earlier said his father did not want to perform after what happened in Mumbai where his scheduled concert last month was cancelled following Shiv Sena’s threat to disrupt it.

“The November 8 concert (in Delhi) is not happening now. After what happened in Mumbai, we don’t want to take any risk. The atmosphere should be right for music. We don’t want to get involved in any kind of politics. So much is happening there, it would not be right for us to come at this time,” Aamir had said.

The singer was invited to perform in Delhi by the Aam Aadmi Party government after his show could not take place in Mumbai.

Besides AAP government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also extended an invite to the ghazal maestro to perform in Kolkata.