KK croons, city comes alive with Aashayein

LUCKNOW: He came, he sang and he conquered. Hearts, that is. Performing live at the Times Lucknow Festival on Wednesday evening, singer KK was scintillating from the word go. From the time he made an entry on the stage and sang `Bas Ek Pal' to when he crooned one super-hit song after another, the crowd raved, screamed and danced. And Lucknow came alive.
On the MB Club grounds, the atmosphere was electrifying. With KK belting out popular Bollywood songs like Saathiya's (2003) `O Humdum Suniyo Re' and `Khuda Jaane' from `Bachna Ae Haseeno' (2008), most were compelled to stand. And while some clapped to show their appreciation, most sang, and others tapped their feet. Many even danced.
The sheer volume of the number of people who came to hear KK was mesmerising. All seats were occupied and those who couldn't lay their hands on a chair, enjoyed from the fringes.
For youngsters, in particular, it was a spectacular and memorable evening. That they were there for a fun, social evening out with friends was obvious. Many came with posters showing off their appreciation for KK and his songs, and other swayed, grooved and whistled to express their love for the music.
When KK sang his popular `Yaaron Dosti Badi hi Haseen hai', his more recent and famous `Guzaarish Hai', and the all-time favourite `Pal' and, of course, `Aashayein'.
KK's performance was peppered with a wide variety of romantic and groovy songs. He swung from `Tadap tadap ke is dil se' from `Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999) to the more peppy 'It's the time to Disco' from Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) and in doing so, always had a finger on the pulse of his listeners. The established singer even had a word of praise for his Lucknow audience. "It's great fun to have been singing along. And especially when they can hit the right notes. Lucknow seems to be full of musical people,'' he said. And if the brilliant music itself was not a pull enough, the comment invited an even louder cheer from the crowds.