Singing for a cause

LIVE CONCERT

The light chill in the air pinched the glaring numbers present near the poolside at Eros Hilton, Nehru Place recently as Shafqat Amanat Ali stepped up on stage and was greeted with flowers. A few minutes later, when Shafqat held the mike and began singing, the nip lost its effect as all were taken aboard as though in a trance.

Since music has no boundaries and is the best way to bring harmony, the concert was an initiative of Pink Chain Foundation to spread the message of love among those who are battling cancer. In order to provide them with a life they deserve, the NGO brought the popular singer, Shafqat for the noble cause.

At the scheduled time of the concert, huge numbers gathered and some went to the extent of fighting for a seat. Few won their battle whereas the rest were happy standing to just get a chance to listen to their favourite singer.

But that was the only time when he enthralled his fans. Shafqat had already sung a few songs for cancer patients at a private get-together earlier in the evening, “When I sang specially for the cancer patients, it was a mixed feeling for me - I was happy to do it and was sad that they were not well.” But the singer was gratified to know that he was the source of their smiles, “When people from Pink Chain told me that I brought smiles on their faces, something which they had been striving to achieve, I felt really happy,” said Shafqat.

The evening later was nonetheless a musical treat for Shafqat’s fans. A popular name in the music industry, the artiste shot to fame with Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna) and then went onto sing chartbusters like Tere Naina (My Name is Khan), Kyun Main Jaagoon (Patiala House), Bin Tere (I Hate Luv Stories) and Dildaara (Ra One) to name just a few. During the concert, Shafqat treated his audience to both - his Bollywood chartbusters as well as semi-classical numbers from albums like Darmiyan, Mai Nai Jana Khedeyan de Naal, Aankhon ke Saagar and Ye Honsla.

His interaction with the audience brought alive the interest of audience. Especially so, when he came down from the stage to be one among them while singing the light romantic Mora Saiyaan (Rajneeti) and passed on the mike to few members in the audience. To everyone’s astonishment, the audience proved to be tough contenders to the singing sensation! But the singer wasn’t shocked because to him it was expected.

“Wherever we go we do find a number of good singers in the audience. And with Delhi, our expectation was really high seeing the huge number that had turned up for the event.” The numbers were undoubtedly huge but the reaction was mixed. Annutama Bannerjee, a student of Hindu College was “enjoying the mesmerizing voice”  but, there were others who left the concert midway grumbling about the performance.