Bollywood playback singer Arijit Singh performed in front of a packed house at the Trade Centre Arena at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday - and it was truly a magical night.
The 28-year-old singer hit it big with Tum Hi Ho in 2013 and has gone on to become one of the most-popular playback singers, experimenting with different genres - though his romantic ballads are the most popular.
He started the show with the title track from the film Fitoor, following it up with his chart hits, including Gerua, Muskurane, Laal Ishq, Dua, Mast Magan, Illahi and Suno Na Sangemarmar to name but a few.
It is fair to say that Singh is not the most-dynamic of entertainers. You will not see him leaping about from one corner of the stage to the other, or chatting to the audience - but then, he didn't need to do that to make his shows entertaining.
His mellifluous voice had the audience dancing, with every song ending in cheers. Even though he did not play around with the format of the songs too much, the live performance made them sound even better than they do on the radio.
After returning from a short break, the mood turned a little mellow as he played the piano and performed a few duets.
What was a little odd, though, is that despite his own impressive repertoire of songs, he chose to perform a selection by other artists - Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Rubaru, Tu Hi Re and Pehla Nasha. He also sang a few golden oldies, including Choo Kar Mere Man Ko, Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai and Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar.
While his performance was fantastic, I was looking forward to hearing his own songs - and given that many members of the audience were shouting requests, it seems I was the only one who felt this way. He ended the night on a high note, though, with some of his most-popular hits such as Tum Hi Ho, Sanam Re, Raabta, Khamoshiyan, Soch Na Sake and Samjhawan.
I left the show an even bigger fan than I was beforehand - and am already looking forward to his next concert.
ajhurani@thenational.ae
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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