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Sufi music fest live on Alpha Punjabi, ETC Punjabi
MUMBAI: Regional channel Alpha TV Punjabi and music channel ETC Punjabi are bringing together one of the biggest festivals of Sufi Music called Shaan-e-sufi at Kalagram, Chandigarh.
This show will be held at Kalagram, Manimajra, Chandigarh on 27 and 28 August from 6:30 pm onwards and will be telecast live, simultaneously on both the channels.
Shaan-e-sufi will bring for the viewers performance of some of the best exponents of Punjabi Sufi music like the famous Hans Raj Hans, Wadali Brothers, Barkat Sidhu (winner of ETC music award 2004 for best Sufi male vocalist), Zila Khan (daughter of Ustad Vilayat Khan) and Master Saleem, says an official release.
During the two unforgettable evenings with these masters of Sufi music, viewers will get to see Wadali Brothers performing some of their greatest hits including Manee Yaanee and Heer Raanjha along with songs from their Punjabi music albums. Barkat Siddhu and Hans Raj Hans will perform traditional Sufi songs. Viewers will also get to see Zila Khan performing LIVE after a very long gap. She is daughter of internationally acclaimed Sitar maestro Ustad Wilayat Khan and is every bit as melodious as her namesake, added the release.
According to ETC channel Punjabi business head Rabinder Narayan, “Even in today’s world where Punjabi music is mostly identified with pop culture, authentic Sufi music has lost none of its evergreen charm. It continues to have its ardent fan following.”
VP programming Rajiee M. Shinde adds, “Punjab is a huge market for music. Alpha Punjabi along with ETC Punjabi provides the biggest platform for Punjabi Music. Our musical shows are not only the biggest in terms of attendance but also the most watched in India as well as all over the world.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
