Khan’s performance boasted a diverse playlist, pulsated with energy, rhythm and harmony. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY
It was a night of music and splendour when celebrated prince of qawwali, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, regaled audiences with a powerhouse performance at the Marriott Hotel over the weekend. He performed a diverse blend of qawwalis, ghazals and Bollywood music to a crowd of nearly 600 people. Guests lounged on comfortable sofa seats at the plush crystal marquee, housing the elaborate stage with neon haze, overhead lights and a powerful sound system.
Khan’s 10-man orchestra opened with an instrumental piece of ‘Mein Tenu Samjhawan Ki’ before the lead musician took centre-stage. Without much ado, he set off to perform the famous hymn ‘Allah Hu’ by his uncle, legendary qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and went on to the more subtle and soul-stirring ‘Sureeli Ankhion Walay’.
Alternating between high-powered scores to lighter notes, Khan progressed in swift succession as he picked momentum with each piece. With his animated expressions, dramatic pauses and an occasional quip, he connected with the audience in an effortless, lyrical manner.
Transitioning from ‘Ishq Risk’ to ‘Tumhain Dillagi’ to ‘O Re Piya’ to ‘Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor’, Khan’s performance boasted a diverse playlist, pulsated with energy, rhythm and harmony. His fast-paced performance of ‘Mast Nazron Se Allah Bachaye’ was particularly spirited, as he dedicated select verses to men and women with a playful undertone.
He also performed his trademark tunes ‘Ankhiyan Udeek Diyan’, ‘Tere Mast Mast Do Nain’, ‘Jiya Dharak Dharak’, and ‘Teri Meri’, garnering applause from a gently-swaying audience. Some even broke into bhangra-inspired dance moves, including a suited man who entertained the audience with his quirky, enthusiastic moves at odd intervals.
Khan rounded off the musical evening with the customary dhamaal ‘Dam Mast Qalandar’, reaching a crescendo with his powerful vocals. For all its resonance and sophistication, the concert was loud and high-pitched in certain places, owing to overtones of bass and a resounding echo in the sound system. This marred the overall effect of the music for the listeners.
“Khan’s vocals are so strong and beautiful, he didn’t need supporting music. It was overpowering,” commented Sanna Choudhary, an audience member. Actor-TV anchor Ayesha Sana, who hosted the evening, complimented the glamorous audience. “The crowd in Islamabad always dresses to the hilt and arrives punctually. We are here to spread hope,” she said. The charity event was hosted by Subh-e-Nau, an environment and health concern.
Mahwish Chisti, director of the charity and former tennis player, announced a moment of silence for the Peshawar tragedy. “The organisation, which is working for green concerns, is committed to preventing environmental degradation through various initiatives, such as capacity building, awareness raising, plantation and sports promotion,” she stated.
Chisti explained that the organisation’s disability reduction and rehabilitation programme, originally put together for sportsmen suffering serious injuries, was later expanded in response to the 2005 earthquake. She added that an estimated 12 per cent of the country’s population is disabled but kept away from the society. “Our main message is that the incidence of disability is very high in Pakistan and the disabled are ‘warehoused’ in this country. Mainstreaming the disabled is critically important,” said Dr Farrukh Ahmed, chief of research at the charity organisation.
Muniba Mazari, an artist who is paraplegic, donated a painting, which will be auctioned to raise funds for the charity. “I am here to support the cause because I have experience what mismanaged healthcare can do,” she said. Ambassador of Argentina, Rodolfo Martin-Saravia, donated dinner for 10 at the Argentine embassy, which will be auctioned to generate funds for the organisation.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2015.
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