Pakistan artistes biggest crowd-pullers in Delhi restros

They charge less than Indian artistes and come without any starry tantrums, but Pakistani singers still manage to draw a packed house, making them the more popular choice for live performances at Delhi’s restros.
Ghulam Ali may still be waiting for his Delhi concert to materialize, but there are many Pakistani singers who have become an integral part of Delhi’s nightlife. Farhan Saeed, Mustafa Zahid, Rizwan-Muazzam (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s nephews) are among the many Pakistani artistes who frequently perform in Delhi restaurants. And the fact that each of their live sessions result in packed houses is encouraging restaurateurs to reach out to more Pakistani singers, both established and budding ones, to perform in Delhi. Also, a few Delhi restaurateurs say that the Ghulam Ali controversy and his string of cancelled concerts have only increased Pakistani artistes’ fan following in Delhi.
Craze for Pakistani artistes has increased
“In both music and cricket, people are always interested in knowing what’s coming from Pakistan. A niche section used to follow Pakistani artistes’ music – especially Sufi and qawwali – even before, but in the last one year, the craze for Pakistani singers has grown manifold. And they are in demand for not only private performances and concerts, but also for special nights in restaurants. In the past, we have announced performances by Pakistani artistes twice – one of which was for Arif Lohar of 'Jugni' fame – but we had to cancel both the performances, since the artistes did not get visa on time. However, what was surprising was the response we got before the cancellation. Forty per cent reservations for the gig were made within two days of the announcement,” says Sourabh Chandna from Zerruco. Without commenting directly on the Ghulam Ali controversy, Pakistani singer and ex-member of Jal The Band, Farhan Saeed, says, “I have been performing in India for a long time now. But in last few months, the number of offers to perform in Delhi restaurants have increased. I just returned to Pakistan after being in Delhi for 10 days. I did five shows in those 10 days, and had to refuse several others.”
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The trend of calling Pakistani singers for performances in restaurants started with restaurateurs strategically scheduling these performances on weekdays to ensure good business throughout the week. After gauging the public response, now performances by Pakistani artistes are mostly planned for weekends. “It’s a decision made keeping in mind the business,” says GrogHead’s Sandeep Sehrawat, who is in the process of finalising a Pakistani performer for his restaurant for June.
“For a weekend performance, we end up paying a popular Indian artiste more than what we would pay a Pakistani artiste. Also, Pakistani artistes are more willing to perform and are keen to get an opportunity to do so. Money is not the only thing that matters to them. There is a 20-25% difference between what we pay a known Pakistani artiste and a popular Indian artiste. But the revenue generated by them is the same. In fact, we do not have to sell a show by a Pakistani artiste to the customers. The buzz around them is always there. On the other hand, with Indian artistes, we have to bear their tantrums and also pay them more. Before the final booking, they would want to see the venue, or at times ask for 3D pictures of the venue. Pakistani artistes are more than happy to just get an opportunity to perform and reach out to the Indian audience through their music,” adds Sehrawat.
Saeed recalls that when he started getting offers from Delhi restaurants to do live shows, they were mostly for special nights on Wednesdays. But now, he mostly performs on weekends. “Sometimes that changes if there are date issues,” he adds.
Restaurateur Priyank Sukhija says that he has been hosting Pakistani singers like Mustafa Zahid and bands like Jal at his restaurants for over a year, and they are always “completely sold out shows.” He says, “Next we are planning to invite Nooran sisters from Pakistan for a show. There is always a curiosity factor that works in favour of Pakistani artistes. Also, Pakistani artistes are in town for a limited period only. So, people think that they can attend a gig by a popular Indian artiste anytime, but it’s not everyday that they get to hear a Pakistani singer live, irrespective of who it is.”
As more Delhiites want to party to the tunes of sufi, there’s more craze for Pakistani singers
With the increasing popularity of Sufi music in pubs and restros, Pakistani singers are more in demand. While most Indian bands stick to ‘Bollywood Sufi’, Pakistani artistes usually have a wide variety to offer. “Sufi music is in demand currently and people want to hear new tunes. Many Pakistani singers, like Javed Bashir, are trained Sufi singers and manage to impress the crowd. Some, like Farhan (Saeed), are popular because of their Bollywood stint, but when they perform live, they don’t just stick to Bollywood songs,” says restaurateur Akshay Anand, who has organised special evenings with Pakistani singers at Townhouse Café, Boulevard in Saket and Hot Mess. “Thanks to some popular reality shows, Pakistani bands like Raeth and Jal, and singers like Zeb and Haniya are now household names in Delhi. People are now aware of their music. When it comes to Sufi, Pakistani bands are the best,” says Priyank. Sabri Brothers, too, have been performing Sufi music at Delhi restaurants.

Even qawwals from Pakistan perform at restros and lounges in the city
It is not just popular singers and bands who have been performing at restaurants and lounges in Delhi. Recently, even qawwals and other trained classical singers from Pakistan have shown interest in doing such performances. “We organise concerts and host many Pakistani artistes in India. Many of them are now performing at restaurants and clubs here. Even qawwals from Pakistan perform here, and that too at cheaper rates. It’s not always easy for them to get an Indian visa and they want to make the most of their India visit and explore every opportunity they can get. It’s also true that Pakistani artistes, no matter who they are, always draws attention. I think it is the curiosity to explore something from the other side of the border,” says Tina Wachani, general secretary of Routes 2 Roots, a Delhi-based NGO that has brought many Pakistani artistes to India for gigs.

Despite the Ghulam ali controversy, Pak artistes in demand in Delhi
Many of ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concerts in India have been cancelled due to opposition from Shiv Sena members. However, the Pakistani singer performed to a packed house at the famed Sankat Mochan temple in Banaras last month. Just weeks before that, his performance at a Delhi hotel was cancelled after alleged threats.
Listen to songs of Ghulam Ali on Gaana.com