Ghulam Ali not to perform at Thane Festival, says NCP MLA

NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad today said Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will not perform at forthcoming 'Thane Festival' beginning February 11, but has agreed to perform in the city in future

Thane: NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will not perform at forthcoming 'Thane Festival' beginning February 11, but has agreed to perform in the city in future.

Ghulam Ali. Pic/AFP

"Ghulam Ali will not perform at Thane Festival, but has agreed to come to Thane later," Awhad told reporters here. To a query on reasons behind postponing Ali's concert, the NCP leader said, "I did not want any hindrance at the function and have put off Ali's performance to a future date".

When asked whether the threat by Shiv Sena forced him to defer Ali's programme, Awhad said, "Why should I be afraid of them? I am in politics for the last 30 years. I will go ahead with the programme (with Ali, whenever rescheduled)".

He said the country's biggest art gallery will be on display at "Thane Festival 2016". "Besides, paintings worth Rs 150 crore of M F Hussain, A R Chughtai, Jehangir Sabavala, Picasso etc will be showcased,"
he said. Awhad said the idol of Lord Ganesh, made from ruby worth Rs 76 crore, will also be displayed.

"A cookery show and an augmented aquarium will be a matter of attraction during the four-day festival, proceeds of which will be donated for cancer patients," the MLA added. The Festival is organised by Awhad's organisation 'Sangharsh'.

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