As a perfect post-Ramadan treat for Pakistani and Indian music lovers in the UAE, MTV brought together a fantastic line-up of singers from both countries for a two-day concert at the Dubai World Trade Centre over the Eid weekend.
Friday’s line-up – the first of two nights – featured Pakistani classical singer Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Indian playback singer Papon and Pakistani singer Komal Rizvi.
Dubai’s very own local desi rock band Rooh opened the show, and warmed up the crowd with their selection of covers and original songs.
Komal Rizvi took the stage next. The singer, actress and songwriter who made her career comeback in the music-fusion programme Coke Studio, sang a selection of songs that certainly brought back memories. Her rendition of the late Nazia Hassan's Baat Ban Jaye was a standout.
Papon, another Coke Studio artist, followed Rizvi. His programme focused heavily on his large body Bollywood playback songs, the most well received of which was Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. Taken from the 2015 film Dum Laga Ke Haisha, the track earned him a cavalcade of industry accolades including a Filmfare award, a Screen Award, a Zee Cine Award, a Mirchi Music Award, a Times of India Film Award and IIFA Award. Unsurprisingly, it brought the house down and earned him a standing ovation in Dubai.
Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan closed off the evening with tracks from his band Fuzon, in addition to his own Bollywood playback portfolio.
He dedicated his song Yeh Honsla from 2006 film Dor to the concert's spirit of undivided love between Indian and Pakistan.
A lively figure on stage, he also strolled among the crowds for some witty audience interaction before launching into one of his most popular songs, Fuzon's Mora Saiyaan Mose Bole Na – it was the biggest singalong of the night.
artslife@thenational.ae
