Mohiuddin Babar performs sitar recital

Sitar enthusiast Mohiuddin Babar demonstrated the possibilities of the human spirit in a sitar recital held at Palm View Restaurant Hall on Saturday, in a soiree titled “Rewinding Old Rhythm”. The intimate gathering saw the attendance of important figures such as the Norwegian Ambassador, senior consuls, and other professionals.

The instrumental performance blended the sounds of the violin, guitar, keyboards, harmonica and the tabla in accompaniment, played by his sons Talal Redwan Babar and Shafin Inzam Babar, among others. The performance opened with a classical dhun on Raga Yaman, and included a tribute to the late Abdul Jabbar with the song “O Re Neel Doriya”, as well as yesteryear Bangla and Hindi classic songs, and a cover of Swedish pop group Abba's “I Have A Dream”. The evening concluded with a classical jhala (improvisation) recital.

Mohiuddin Babar, a CSR consultant, began his journey with the sitar fifteen years ago. “I was translating a book on Ustad Alauddin Khan, and I happened to watch Pandit Ravi Shankar live. I was so inspired that I became determined to learn the instrument. Having come from a family that did not nurture musical talents, I feel proud at having come this far, and have made sure to ingrain the love for music within my children,” he added.