Singer Ghulam Ali honoured with the very first Swaralaya Award

Renowned Pakistani Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, on Thursday evening (January 14), was presented the very first Swaralaya Global Legendary Award during a function at Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy & CPI(M) State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan jointly presented him the award. The award comprised of a statuette,a citation and 1 Lakh INR.

The singer sounded overwhelmed when he said he never experienced so much love before, in his singing career. I have been singing for around 55 years. I have never before seen or experienced such love for my music. This day is very important for me. I am just a small time singer. I am not a big artiste”- he stated.

V.S. Achuthanandan, the leader of the opposition, said Ghulam Ali would have been an Indian singer, only if the parition didn’t take place. “Though he is from Pakistan, he is like a brother for Malayalis. Three decades ago, poet Balachandran Chullikkad brought Ali’s music to our ears through his poem Ghazal”- he said.

“It is before the creativity of humans that national boundaries formed at various phases of history fades away. Music, literature and art bring the world together. The philosophy of Vasudaivakudumbakam encompasses this idea”- said CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M.A. Baby.

Acclaimed Ghazan singer Pandit Viswanath was also honoured at the same function.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.