Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali started a six-day music festival in Varanasi at the famous Sankat Mochan Temple with a performance on Tuesday, despite threats of disruption from the Shiv Sena.
Nearly 60 renowned artistes are performing at the festival, said Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, Mahant (head priest) of Sankat Mochan temple.
Later, Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav awarded him the status of ‘State Guest’. He will also honour Ghulam Ali in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Earlier this month Ghulam Ali’s event “Ghar Wapsi” had been cancelled by a Delhi hotel allegedly over threats by the fringe group Hindu Sena.
The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh has been held every year in the unique setting of the famous Sankat Mochan temple for the past 70-90 years, Mishra said, adding musicians perform for free.
The other artistes who are scheduled to perform at the event are Singer Anup Jalota, classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, classical flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, classical singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra, violinist L Subramaniam, Dancer Sonal Mansingh, santoor player Bhajan Sapori, vocalist Pandit Vishwamanth among others.
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