SNSR Productions and the Jazba band under the baton of Avijit Sarkar created a magical night of Sufi music to a packed hall. A great bonus for the patrons and musicians as well was the inclusion of a professional Sufi singer Farhan Shah. Farhan energised the entire crowd with his rendition of the traditional Dhamal of Shahbaz Kalandar. Towards the end the crowd was on its feet dancing to Dhamal in a trance.
Rucha Lange set the pace with perfect classical notes singing "Dard Se Mera Daman Bhar De". The Sufiana magic had been cast. Sadiq Rehmani in his proverbial style narrated his experience as a medical doctor with famous Bangladeshi Sufi singer Lalan Faqir. The anecdote touched everyone’s heart. He then melodiously sang 'Tu Na Jane Aaspas Hai Khuda'. The crowd of mixed creed started feeling closer to the one above, no matter whom they worship. That of course is the universal philosophy of Sufism to connect with the one above through love, music and dance.
Farhan Shah (left) and Rachana Bhatnagar (right) Source: Vivek Asri/SBS
Khawaja Mere Khawaja composed by AR Rahman was sung from the soul by the maestro Avijit Sarkar. In traditional Hindustani music especially for Qawwali and Sufi Kalam the Harmonium is the lead instrument. Avijit who has accompanied Ghulam Ali, Abida Parveen, Munni Begum on the Harmonium in the past did full justice.
Rachna Bhatnagar and her inimitable style often compared to Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum sang Man Laga Mera Yaar Fakiri Mein.
All the musicians be they on guitar (Bobby Kumar), keyboard (Akber Alibhai), dholak (Anurag Kamoda) or percussions (Parag Tijoriwala and Sanjeev Raja) adorned the vocals most beautifully. Abhijit Dan, who was on Tabla, proved once again he has sheer magic in his fingers. The charming chorus singers Smedha Manjure, Aditi Junveja, Tasneem Gadiwala, Amit Anand, Kerman Mistry, Bharat Gohel did full justice as 'Hamnawaa'.
