Javed Ali performs at the Times Pune Festival

What happens when a jam-packed audience and an artiste get along like a house on fire?
Celebration is guaranteed and Friday night at Shaniwarwada was one such evening where popular Bollywood singer Javed Ali transformed his music concert into one helluva rocking party! He and his live band made this evening at the Times Pune Festival a night to remember.
It’s all about love The show opened with singer Nirupama Dey rendering the sensuous and naughty number Bahon Mein Chale Aao... which set the mood for an evening with good music. Known for his soulful and achingly romantic voice, Javed Ali had everyone mesmerised as he sang Kun Faya Kun, Jashn Bahara, Tuhi Haqiqat and Ek Din, often prompting the audience to sing along with him. He sang songs that made the romantic in the audience go gooey and mushy, the energetic shake a leg and the plain and simple lovers of Hindi film songs sit back and immerse themselves in the musical medley.
One more time! With a great set of musicians, which included Anoop Shankar on percussions and octapad, John Fernandes on drums, Nidhikumar Nath on lead guitar, Manish Kulkarni on bass guitar, Sachin Dhamankar on tabla, joining Javed on stage, the concert rocked and the audience wanted to savour more of the musical magic. They hence requested an encore of the Kun Faya Kun and Tu Hi Haqiqat songs, which Javed politely obliged.
Puneites rock! Impressed with the response he received from the audience, Javed said, “Fankaar toh bahut hote hai, par crowd mein sunkaar bahut kam. Pune mein sunkaar bahut hai.” He thanked the audience for their energy; and closed the performance with Kajra Re, leaving the crowd asking for more.
(Sangeet Kala Sagar is the co-sponsor of the Times Pune Festival)