14

SUNDAY

Sung in Urdu, the classical language of Pakistani and North Indian poetry, ghazals traditionally celebrate the intensity of both divine and earthly love. No subcontinental musical form can resist the influence of Bollywood, however, and so ghazals have been adapted for movie-musical soundtracks and have taken on such new (and less than celestial) themes as the pleasures of getting drunk. Pakistani vocalist Mehdi Hassan is one of the stars of the genre, which in its own corrupt way was actually a reaction to the rise of even less traditional styles of disco-influenced Indopop. This performance will include both pop hits and classic songs. At 5:30 p.m on the Freer Gallery Steps, 12th & Jefferson Dr. SW. FREE. (202) 357-3200. (MJ)