ISLAMABAD:
Rahim Shah serenaded the audience and the jam-packed auditorium swayed and danced to the rhythm of his music.
He and the winner and runner-up of Chotay Ustad, the brainchild of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sonu Nigam, were the highlight at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Monday, that hosted a glittering night with established and young budding stars of Pakistan.
Moon and Farieha from Chotay Ustad have gained acclaim for their talent across the border and within the country. On the centre stage, the young artists surpassed expectations.
Moon, the runner-up on the show, sang Mora Saiyan by Fuzon which in the actual show pushed the judges, Abida Parveen, Sonu Nigam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, to give the young singer a standing ovation. Even Moon, still a young boy, showed humility far beyond his age.
His father said, “Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that this would happen. Moon has brought me more joy than I ever could have imagined, and due to that I have dedicated my life even more so to my boy.”
Farieha, also nicknamed Chiriya (little bird) by Sonu Nigam, was thrilled to perform in Islamabad for the second time. An avid Rahat Fateh Ali and Noor Jahan fan, the little girl sang classical music with grace and maturity that is usually hard to find even in experienced artists.
“I have sung alongside Asha Bhonsle, Ghulaam Abbas, Hamid Ali Khan, Abrarul Haq, Shahzad Roy and tonight I will sing on the same stage as Rahim Shah,” says Farieha, “I couldn’t be happier.”
The support of the audience spurred on the artists and the evening turned out to be enjoyable.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ