RAZA ALI HASAN

3

Even the mighty gospelers of Karachi, the clap-happy
qawwals have taken umbrage at Allah.  Four of the qawwals

refuse to clap, the fifth with his tabla beats an unsteady,
sinister beat tonight, and the lead qawwal Mr. Khan sprawls

face down, drunk on a shower of Rupees—only the harmonium
from its corner carries on wheezing like a sick plaintiff.