Comeback Africa: WSPC fundraising event pays tribute to the late Nelson Mandela

KARACHI:

It seldom happens that one’s soul reaches another level, and that is exactly what we experienced, late Friday evening. The organisers of the event welcomed guests to the FTC Auditorium, which was decked up in black and gold for the night and adorned with large portraits of the late African leader Nelson Mandela and renowned Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

The event, titled Comeback Africa, was a fundraiser organised by the Welfare Society for Patient Care of the Park Lane Hospital, which gives free dialysis treatment to patients suffering from kidney ailments.

The evening started with a recital of Faiz’s poetry by Arshad Mahmood, leading to a performance by Hillary on Asimbonanga, as they paid a tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. A troupe gave the event a vibrant touch by dancing the gumboot, which used to be performed near the coal mines of Africa, to African music and beating a rhythmic tune on the drums. Following this, Aima Iqra sang Shakira’s famous song, Waka Waka, which was then followed by the biggest surprise of the evening. The legendary Tina Sani performed live, singing songs by both Faiz and Iqbal.

Sani began with singing soulful ghazals like Raat Yon Dil Mein Teri Tou Nahin and Nigah Mein Manzil, and then moved on to singing iconic songs like Kab Yaad Mein Tera Haath Nahi, Kuch Pehlay and, of course, the unforgettable Bahar Ayi.

A troupe of young individuals put up exuberant performances and entertained the audience. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Closing out her performance, and the evening, she performed a duet with Adeel Hashmi, with the duo singing Faiz’s Sheeshon Ka Maseeha Koyee Nahin and Iqbal’s Shikwa and Jawab Shikwa.

Sani’s choice to start her performance with one of the best couplets one can ever lend an ear to, Raat You Dil Mein Teri, and ended with Iqbal’s Shikwa and Jawab Shikwa with Adeel Hashmi, which one of the best duets in ghazal ghiyki to ever be performed, made the evening absolutely spectacular. The prospect of Faiz’s poetry paired with Sani’s vocals promise no less than a splendid experience, and the combination surely lived up to expectations Friday night.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2014.

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