Veteran Pakistani vocalist Ustad Naseeruddin Saami will receive the prestigious ‘Patrons Award’ at the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards in recognition of his tireless work in preserving and promoting the ancient Sufi-khayal vocal tradition on the global stage.

The ceremony will take place in London from November 20–23, and the Saami family of Pakistan will be honoured alongside the Warsi Brothers of India, with both receiving the ‘Patrons Award’ on November 21.

Ustad Saami is widely regarded as Pakistan’s pre-eminent classical vocalist and the last living master of the 49-note microtonal Surti scale, rooted in the Delhi Gharana tradition tracing back to the 13th-century Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau. His six-decade career spans teaching, recording and international performance; through his ensemble the Saami Brothers (his four sons), he has introduced Pakistan’s classical musical heritage to audiences across Europe, North America and Asia.

By awarding him this honour, the Aga Khan programme recognises his role as a bridge between deeply rooted South Asian musical cosmologies and contemporary global listeners. The decision underscores the significance of his work in safeguarding a rare form of vocal art and advancing its transmission to new generations.

Read more: Ali Zafar receives ‘Cultural Icon Award’ in the US

KARACHI: The World Culture Festival in Karachi turned into a celebration of shared heritage when Nepali singer Madan Gopal took the stage to honour Pakistan’s legendary folk icon Reshma with a moving rendition of Lambi Judai.

Clad in a glittering, boat-shaped Nepali cap inspired by the Himalayas and a T-shirt patterned with traditional motifs, Madan captured attention not just with his appearance but with the sincerity of his voice.

His version of Lambi Judai blended emotion and melody, reflecting the timeless bond of South Asian musical traditions.

“It was in the hills, about fifteen kilometres from Kathmandu, surrounded by forests and cool winds, that this song came to me as if from the sky,” Madan shared. “At that moment, I knew I wanted to perform it in Pakistan  in Reshma Ji’s land.”

This marked Madan’s second visit to Pakistan, a trip he said was inspired by the warmth of its people. Ahead of the event, he had rearranged Lambi Judai into a medley, weaving in his own musical touches as a tribute to Reshma’s enduring legacy.

The evening also featured a Nepali folk song and a unique Urdu–Nepali fusion number composed by Pakistani musician Imad Rehman. “When Madan told me about his plan to honour Reshma Ji, I was thrilled,” said Imad. “She’s a treasure of our region  her voice carries the soul of our soil.”

Reflecting on his approach to music, Madan said, “There are two kinds of singers — the trained ones and the mitti ke singer, the singers of the soil. The latter sing not from technique, but from the heart.”

Joining him on stage was Mah Rukh, an emerging Pakistani vocalist who recently won first place in a Karachi Arts Council music competition. She described the collaboration as a learning experience: “Reshma Ji is incomparable  you can’t match her voice, but you can honour her spirit.”

As Madan’s performance filled the air, many in the audience were transported back to the 1980s, when filmmaker Subhash Ghai introduced Lambi Judai to the world through his film Hero, turning Reshma into a household name far beyond Pakistan’s borders.

Bilal Maqsood, a well-known musician, shared a video on social media showing a large number of dead crows in Major Khalid Shaheed Park, located in Defence, Karachi. The video has sparked concern among citizens about the possible cause of the incident.

Maqsood mentioned that for the past several days, he had been seeing two or three dead crows in the park each day. However, one day he came across an alarming sight — around 50 to 60 dead crows scattered across the area.

According to Rafi-ul-Haq, spokesperson for the Horticulture Society, the sudden deaths might be linked to poisoning. He explained that crows and kites often feed on garbage, and it is possible they consumed something toxic from contaminated waste.

Later, a team from the Sindh Wildlife Department visited the park to investigate the matter. However, since the garbage bins had already been cleared, no evidence or dead birds were found during their inspection. The incident has raised serious concerns about environmental health and waste management in Karachi.