First ever online Tehzeeb Festival comes to an end.

Due to the pandemic, the 11th edition of the festival was moved online

The 11th Tehzeeb Festival, held online for the first time because of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, and streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, ended on Sunday evening.

Although it was a day packed with powerful displays of talent, one also realised the tiny but resolvable problems that can accompany events organised with the help of technology. What matters is allowing the audiences to feel the spirit of art, and that's abundantly possible.

It all began with Ustad Raza Ali Khan, who joined from India and is the grandson of the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, singing raga Mian ki malhar. There was a reason for it: it was raining in Kolkata where he is located these days. Unfortunately the audio reception from his location was slightly poor.

To compensate for it, the host Sharif Awan invited composer Arshad Mahmud for a chat on Bade Ghulam Ali. Mr Mahmud said Khan Sahib's impact can be felt on classical singers to date.

The second artist of the evening was Nadim Malik who presented raga Kaushakdhani. After that, Ustad Raza Ali Khan returned to centre stage with better audio arrangement and sang a thumri.

Things picked up from there on as Ustad Shahbaz Husain from the UK gave a heart-warming tabla solo recital. He chose to play jhaptaal and performed with such alacrity, exhibiting a couple of variations that...