Report & Pics: Susan Saldanha & Wilson Saldanha Shirthady/ Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, May 2: It was somewhat like a dream come true for Kuwait audience on Friday May 1 evening. They had a chance to witness a person who is often referred to as India's best playback singer and as the Golden Voice of Indipop - Sonu Nigam. He proved again that he is more than just a singer or musician. The show, Sonu Nigam live concert titled ‘Shukraan Ya Kuwait - Tribute to a great country’ was organized by Apna Bharat Society Kuwait at Safir Al Fintas on Friday from 8 pm onwards.
This was third show from Akash Panwar after successful shows'Jai-Ho' Sukhwinder Singh Live in Concert and 'Shukran Ya Kuwait', an unplugged live concert with Benny Dayal. The event was organized as a token of appreciation and gratitude to the great country Kuwait which has given shelter, chance to earn daily bread and better future to many nationalities.
The programme started with the national anthems of Kuwait and India Live sung by Kuwaiti singer- Kishore Kumar of Kuwait fame Mubarak Al Rashed along with group of Indian kids. At the end of Indian National Anthem when Mubarak said "Bharath Matha Ki.... "The whole crowd was excited and overwhelmed with patriotism and responded loudly to the top of their voices as "Jai". Compere of the evening Shruthi Mennon and Dona Fernandes formally welcomed the audience with introduction of event and thanked all sponsors, media personals and the persons involved with the programme. His Excellency Sunil Jain (Indian Ambassdor Kuwait) was also present during the occasion along with other prominent personalities of Kuwait.
After the short introduction by Shruthi Mennon, singer Jonita Gandhi warmed up the atmosphere with her melodious songs such as Pareshan, Sat sag gaye, Piya tu ab to aaja, dum maro dum. When Sonu Nigam entered the dais with song "Shukrallah... Hamdulillah... " which is perfectly suits to Arab country, The whole crowd jumped from their seats with screams, whistles and claps welcoming the greatest singer of Bollywood. The Jugalbandi with the Guitarist with song "Thaklif Chodiye" was simply unbeaten to the talent of this versatile singer. He started with slow songs and continued with variety of songs from his hit list. To name some were Meri Mannat tu, Chanda ki doli, Mere haath mein tera haath, Ghumsum ghumsum rehne wali, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte, Main Sapnonki Rani, Jai Jai Shiv Shankar etc.
When he sung "Bole Chudiyan" in female voice along with Jonita Gandhi the whole crowd was mesmerized with the perfection of Sonu's voice to a female voice. He sung few duets with Jonita Gandhi such as Mahive. On Audience request when he sung "Bhagwan hai kahan re tu from moovie Peekay, the whole crowd was stunned with the variations rendered by Sonu. He invited the audience who requested the song and made him to sing along with him expressing his love towards his fans.
Later he entertained the audience with his variety of songs such as Sooraj Hua Maddam, Mujhe raat din, tu hi tu strangire, Tuje lage na nazariya, Dil Yeh dil deewana, Tha tha dil, Deewana main hoon deewana tera, Sandeshe aate hai, tuje choom loon zara, Kal ho na ho etc. With his extraordinary talent and a voice to die for, Sonu Nigam is an institution in himself. He is a student of music, with a zeal to surpass his own targets and a performer par excellence. With his performance he proved once again to Kuwait audience that he is a superstar and an icon to millions of music lovers across the globe. He is a legend at very young age. He managed to spell his charm throughout the event and pulled the show off in an excellent manner with his charisma and charm.
The programme was fully entertaining without any felicitation, stage programmes or local artists performance. It was a rear chance for the audience of Kuwait to witness living legend like Sonu Nigam along with a female singer and 16 musicians and other professional crew from Sonu's team.
The organizing association Apna Bharat Society – Kuwait is a non-political, non profitable and non commercial organization established in the year 2010 by a group of professionals with purpose to serve community in Kuwait and India. Its mission is to develop and help community with a message of humanity and hardworking to build a strong nation and peaceful and prosperous world. Within a very short time of 5 years, they managed to win the heart of both Indians and nationals of Kuwait through their stage events, sports and charitable activities.