Hayat Ahmad Khan

Hayat Ahmad Khan (1921 – 6 February 2005) was a connoisseur and sponsor of classical music in Pakistan.[1] He founded the All Pakistan Music Conference (APMC) in 1959 and was its secretary-general for a long time.[1][3]

Hayat Ahmad Khan
Born1921[1]
Lahore, British India
Died6 February 2005(2005-02-06) (aged 83–84)[1]
Lahore, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
OccupationConnoisseur and sponsor of classical music in Pakistan
Known forFounder and secretary-general of
All Pakistan Music Conference in 1959[2]
Member of the Board of Governors of
Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore
and the Lok Virsa, Islamabad[1]
AwardsSitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award
by the Government of Pakistan in 2000[1]

Early life and education

Hayat Ahmad Khan was born in Lahore, British India in 1921. He received his basic education and then graduated from the University of Punjab in Lahore. He later studied classical music at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi Academy of classical music. He completed his master's degree in music there.[1]

Establishment of Pakistan Music Conference

After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, there was definitely a need for a formal organization on a national level to encourage the classical musicians/vocalists living in obscurity and feeling neglected. Pakistan's eminent classical singer Roshan Ara Begum was reportedly threatening to give up her Riyaz (music practice) of classical music due to lack of interested listeners in Pakistan.

So Hayat Ahmad Khan, along with several other music connoisseurs, laid the foundation of All Pakistan Music Conference back in 1959. APMC started holding a six-day music festival starting in 1960 where classical, semi-classical, folk and light music events (including ghazal evenings) were held to promote the cause of music in Pakistan.[4]

Pakistan's Dawn (newspaper) comments in 2014, "The event has a huge contribution towards introducing new talent to music fanciers of the country and revitalizing classical and semi-classical music through seasoned musicians and singers."[4] This music festival has been held in Pakistan for more than last five decades now. "Ever since its inception, it has been a constant source of inspiration for thousands of music lovers nationwide."[4]

Awards and recognition
  • Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2000 for his contribution towards classical music[1]
  • Member of the National Commission on History and Culture since 1994
  • President of the Japan Karate Association of Pakistan since 1970[1]
  • President of the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association in 1981

Death

Hayat Ahmad Khan was hospitalized on 1 February 2005 and later died on 6 February 2005 at age 83 at Lahore, Pakistan.[1]

References
  1. Hayat Ahmad Khan's services eulogized, Dawn (newspaper), Published 9 February 2005, Retrieved 1 September 2018
  2. "Entertainment: 59th Music Festival to start from Nov 21". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  3. Sher Khan (11 February 2012). "Tribute: APMC (All Pakistan Music Conference) remembers Hayat Ahmad Khan". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  4. All Pakistan Music Conference from 13 October 2014 Dawn (newspaper), Published 2 October 2014, Retrieved 1 September 2018


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