Ustad Hamid Ali Khan Headlines Scintillating ICTDM Cultural Event in Sacramento

By Ras H. Siddiqui

A select gathering of around a hundred South Asian music enthusiasts was held at the Blissful Dream Event Hall in Rancho Cordova just outside Sacramento on July 24, 2025, featuring Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, one of the finest practitioners of traditional Ghazal singing anywhere in the world today. Khan Sahib is a living legend carrying on the legacy of the Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music (he possibly represents its eighth generation) and he is sadly the last one of his singing siblings (sons of Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan) left, after his brothers Amanat Ali Khan and Fateh Ali Khan passed away. They had brought a great deal of fame to their family and made their Ghazal singing a cross-border love affair.

Speaking of cross-border, the organizers, supporters and attendees at this event represented a great deal of diversity. Under the umbrella of the International Council of Traditional Dance and Music (ICTDM), a relatively new organization in the area which according to its founder and CEO, Sartaj Singh Sekhon, is working on unity and peace through dance and music. They are off to a good start as this event certainly brought together countries and religions in a uniquely beautiful manner. The art of the Ghazal knows no borders or faiths because it exists in the heart. South Asians convey their thoughts with a great deal of feeling and depth through poetry and music.

We reached out to Dr Abhilash Maroju, Chief of Staff of the ICTDM organization and received this information: “The International Council of Traditional Dance and Music (ICTDM) is a global initiative dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and revival of traditional cultural art forms across the world. Rooted in the spirit of UNESCO’s mission to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, ICTDM serves as a platform to celebrate the richness of classical dance and music — honoring the legacy of ancient traditions while encouraging cultural exchange, education, and artistic expression. Through festivals, educational programs, artist recognition, and international collaborations, ICTDM aims to keep the essence of heritage alive in modern times.”

Returning to the musical event, after dinner (Farrukh Hashmi to be thanked in more ways than one), the formalities began with Dr Abhilash inviting emcee Waqar Rizvi to start the proceedings with an awards ceremony. Appreciation certificates and plaques were presented by Sartaj Singh Sekhon to a select few of the region’s luminaries including Qumar Ashraf, Maqsood Ahmed, Furqan Khaliq and Javaid Akhtar. Also recognized by ICTDM were Mrs Sekhon, Waqar Rizvi, Wali Hamid Ali Khan (appointed as an Ambassador for ICTDM) and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan himself.

Now to the main attraction. Ustad Hamid Ali Khan is a master craftsman of Ghazal singing and takes his representation of the Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music very seriously. The reason he may not be known as well as some other singers is that he has not gone Bollywood or Lollywood (which have their own more widespread charm and appeal). The Ustad has tried to keep his craft pure, and to appreciate it one needs to have a serious interest in traditional Ghazal singing. It helps to know the difference between Raags, the Khayal or Thumri, but even if one does not, an undivided attention to his performance is certainly helpful.

Khan started his performance with Pyar Nahin Hai Sur Se Jisko which set the mood for the evening. He followed up with Honton Pe Kabhi Unke, Kabhi Mera Naam Bhi Aye which rekindled both nostalgia and romance in the audience. He followed that up with the higher energy delivery Menu Tere Jaya Sohna which proved to quite uplifting within the predominantly Punjabi audience. He followed this up with the melancholic Guzar gaya jo zamana use bhula hi do. Khan began ruling over the gathering at this stage of his performance with Amjad Islam Amjad’s poetry.

His next song Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo has been sung by various famous performers from both India and Pakistan but to be selective here it now belongs to the late Habib Wali Mohammad (or to Farida Khanum amongst female vocalists). Another two Punjabi songs followed with Jisne Merey Ko Dard Diya (a tribute to poet Munir Niazi) presented between them. Udas Logon Se Pyar Karna was performed next followed by Mera Piya Ghar Aya, a possible tribute to the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Lagi Re Tose Lagi which is also best known for the famous personality (President Pervez Musharraf) who once assisted him in its singing! The evening ended with Insha Ji Utho which was once the signature song of the Ustad’s brother the late Amanat Ali Khan and has since become the parting delivery of almost every performance by this Patiala Gharana.

To conclude, the invitation to this event was too tempting to turn down even though it was at short notice and held during the working week (Thursday night). But it was a chance to see Hamid Ali Khan Sahib performing live for the first time in the Sacramento area and it was not to be missed.