Shaam-E-Dostana: Tying a harmony knot through music

Heart’s earnest desire always comes true: Sonu ji tathaastoo-ed my burning wish to watch him live again in 2016! Sonu ji has always used his music as a healing instrument to bring a spectrum of social issues to light : like tribal children funding, transgender equality, Tihar idol, swachcha bhaarat, only to name a few. Indo-Pak harmony is a cause that he has been attached to through various means: be it Shaam E Dostana with Atif Aslam, Chhote Ustaad with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, or respecting the freedom of Pakistani singers in India (unlike many singers who vehemently oppose it!). Not to forget, all this after he and his family narrowly escaped a bomb blast during his Pakistan concert. Kudos and a Big Salute to Sonu ji’s love and amnesty!

The show took off with the Pakistani heartthrob Atif Aslam entertaining us with his hit numbers like Woh lamhe, Tu jaane na, Piya o re piya. A style unique to himself, he totally wooed the youngsters to sing, dance and crowd up near the stage towards the end of his performance. But I, like many others was waiting for the second leg of the concert: So, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we give you Sonu Nigaaammm!” (Quote ref: Tu)

Kicking off with Jeene ke hain chaar din music, the orchestra and dancers set the stage for the much awaited performance. Like Sonu ji himself, ‘Magnificence’ is what defines his entire troupe. Sparkling disco lights shone helped Sonu ji sneak onto the stage singing Shukran Allah. Clad in a slick red jacket, Sonu ji was greeted in high spirits by his blaring delirious fans. He warmly reciprocated his love to the crowd, continuing with – Nazron se nazrein.. One would only be amazed by his gamak-ing and breath holding skills listening to Mera Rang De. It’s only his voice that can move me to tears, make me smile and have goosebumps in awe – all at the same time.

Now and then, Sonu ji played with the orchestra and dancers, graciously introducing and applauding them. My most favourite bits were his classical touches to the Bollywood numbers which are exclusive to his concerts. Climbing higher scales, he levitated the ending of the fast-beat Soniyo to a different level altogether. He enjoyed musically teasing the audience before finally giving in to Main agar kahun, the prominent tabla beats in the antaraa sounded lovely. Junta’s excitement was apparent when Sonu ji announced the genre switch to masti numbers.  Swapping between old and new peppy songs like Dil maangta hai to Kajra mohabbat waala made sure everyone from oldies-youngsters-kids shook a leg on the dance floor. His style and elegance is par excellence; dancing and singing with the audience and not a whiff of breath on the microphone left us all astounded.

Now came the song I have been yearning to listen to live, a prayer that he only sings for lucky audiences like ours – Abhi Mujh mein kahin… All instruments played their roles towards this beautiful composition, although the keyboard and violin distinctly struck a chord (pun intended!). Sonu ji’s soulful offering was savoured in silence – it was beyond divinity. He brings the concluding ‘Ab hai saamne’ to the lower octave and deftly makes a transition in mar jaun ‘yaaaaaaa’ to the octave higher: I WILL EAT MY HAT IF THIS DOESN’T BLOW YOUR MIND!! Sonu ji’s ease of playing with the notes, pitch and breath belies the arduous concerted effort by his vocal chords and lungs. He pushes his endurance beyond boundaries – he probably creates energy by defying the law of conservation of energy! Time constraints made it a rapid fire concert, nevertheless watching Sonu Nigam perform live is a lifetime experience….

Aslam bhai joined Sonu ji towards the end when they paid tribute to music from both countries; segueing and knitting together beautiful melodies like lambi judaai, kya hua tera vaada, hothon se etc. It was lovely watching the duo perform together and how music can create belongingness, thus asserting ‘Sarhadein insaano ke liye hain’.. – sangeet ke liye nahi.. Now I am becoming greedier with every concert: May Sonu ji ‘amen’ my next aim to attend his ‘Klose to my heart’ concert soon.