Ghulam Ali all set to perform in Lucknow

Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali will perform at the Lucknow Mahotsava on Sunday night, and officials said they were taking no chances on the security front.

The ghazal maestro arrived in the Uttar Pradesh late on Saturday. He is here after a gap of four months.

Officials said elaborate security arrangements were in place as right-wing groups have been opposing performances by Pakistani artists in India.

Authorities fear that some people may try to disrupt the event.

The state president of the Shiv Sena, Baldev Singh, who had threatened to disrupt the concert, has been detained by police till the time the concert ends, an official said.

Soon after arriving here, Ghulam Ali said bringing politics into music and art was unfortunate and regretted that his Mumbai concert was called off due to threats of disruption.

He said he could not turn down the request to perform in Lucknow due to the request of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Ghulam Ali, whose concerts in Mumbai and Pune were called off after Shiv Sena threats, will also attend the music launch of "Ghar Wapsi" on March 5 in Delhi.

He is making his acting debut with the Hindi feature film "Ghar Wapsi" for which he has also composed and lent his voice.

Ghulam Ali, however, performed in Kolkata on January 12 and in Kerala three days later.