Adnan Sami enthralls Srinagar audience with ‘Rhythm in Paradise’ concert

Srinagar, Oct 7 (IANS) Famous Pakistani-origin musician and singer Adnan Sami on Saturday enthralled his audience with some of his well-known songs, including those requested by youth in attendance at the "Rhythm in Paradise" concert here.

Adnan performed for free at the concert, jointly organized by the Union Home Ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government, and held at the lawns of Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of the Dal Lake here.

"Koyi Tujhe Samjhaye Na/Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na/Kashmir Kay Bina Jiya Jaye Na (Why doesn't somebody convince you that I cannot live without you, Kashmir)," he began, and thanked Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was also present, for helping organize the concert.

"I have a special relationship with Jammu and Kashmir. Not only that my mother belongs to Jammu, but also because my pursuit of classical music has been inspired by the spiritual and Sufist moorings of Kashmir.

"It is not possible that somebody comes to Kashmir and does not become a lov er. Wherever I go, I spread this message of love.

"Let us make a pledge that today's concert becomes the beginning of a new era of peace and progress in Kashmir," Adnan told the audience.

He said this was his second visit to Kashmir as he had come here earlier to shoot a qawaali sequence for Bollywood blockbuster "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" at the shrine of Sufi saint Zainuddin Wali in Aishmuqam area close to Pahalgam tourist resort.

He said he and his team have come here because Allah has created Kashmir when Allah worked in no haste.

"There is a spiritual vibe in Kashmir and I believe nobody can come to Kashmir unless this land beckons him," he told his audience.

Singing and dancing on the stage in his inimitable style of combining high and low pitch, Adnan took the audience along through the entire concert.

"Kabhi to Nazar Milayo/Kabhi to Kareeb Aawo/Jo Nahin Kaha Hi Kabhi To Samaj Jawo", he sang in chaste Urdu as he flashed through the stage directing musicians and intermittently playing the piano himself.

As requests for songs poured in from the audience, Adnan sportingly fulfilled these requests mostly from young boys and girls.

He said he was dedicating his famous song to Kashmir and its people , "Aay Khuda, Aay Khuda/ Jis Nay Ki Justaju/Milgaya Us Ko Tu".

Extra ordinary security arrangements had been made to secure the venue as scores of police and paramilitary forces dotted the venue and all roads leading to it.

Security forces allowed passage on the Boulevard Road only to VVPs and their escort vehicles.

Attendance at the concert was only through special invitations sent by the organizers.