Govt to Give Reception to Ghulam Ali Today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is organising a reception for ghazal legend Ghulam Ali at Hotel Mascot on Thursday evening. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the function at 4.30 pm. Chandy and Deputy Opposition Leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will present the ‘Swaralaya Global Legendary’ award to the Pak singer. Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan will present the citation and Speaker N Sakthan will honour the singer on behalf of the Kerala Assembly.

Ghulam Ali is visiting the state for conducting two concerts - the first at Nishagandhi auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday and the second at Swapnanagari, Kozhikode, on January 17. The concerts are being organised jointly by ‘Swaralaya’ and GKSF, Kerala.Ghulam Ali is being accompanied by a ten-member troupe, which includes noted singer Pandit Viswanath. The concert in Thiruvananthapuram will be his first after the programme in Mumbai, which was cancelled following Shiv Sena protests. The Kerala government is also planning a banquet in honour of the ghazal legend.On Wednesday, CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan performed the switch-on ceremony of ‘Salam Ghulam Ali,’ a documentary.