THE legend certainly lived up to his reputation. Thousands were mesmerized and left intoxicated by the melodies that were sung by the world renowned ‘King of Sufi Music’, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, when he performed last Sunday night at the Guyana National Stadium. Those in attendance couldn’t help but dance to the hypnotizing rhythms, even as they sang along with the superstar throughout an evening filled with inspiring and enlivening music of Qawwali, Ghazals and spectacular Bollywood hit songs.

The emcee was Joel Ghansham, and the audience included Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and his family, who claimed to have thoroughly enjoyed the performances.

The show began with a hit song, ‘Tum Dil Ki’, from the popular movie ‘Dhadkhan’, sung by Neil Maharaj, a contestant in the GT&T Jingle and Song competition; after which the Ishara Dance Troupe delivered an exciting performance that awakened the dancing mood and set the audience on their feet.

This was followed by Purnash Durgaprasad, who is known to be the only West Indian to ever enter the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa competition, rendering a beautiful version of ‘Tu Jaane Na’ from the movie ‘Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Khani’, and this memorable performance was followed by ‘Mitwa’ from ‘Khabi alvida nah kehna’; both set the mood for the evening.

During the fifteen-minute interval, people hastily rushed about trying to get something to drink or take a washroom break before the legend returned to the stage, because nobody wanted to miss a second of his performance.

The stage setting was well organised, the colourful, bright lights incorporated beautifully with the smoke effects and the dazzling silver covering of the front.

When the phenomenal singer made his way on stage at around 21:15 hrs on Sunday night, dressed in his pink kurta partially designed with red and gold sequins, he was surrounded by his back-up singers all highlighted in their white outfits. Khan sang in excess of 22 songs, beginning his performance with ‘Allah ho’, especially dedicated to his uncle Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His melodious voice tranquilised the atmosphere with rendition after rendition, with hit songs such as Surili Akhiyon Wale, Ore Piya, Teri ore, Jiya Dharaka dharaka, Sanso Ki mala and many others.  

The last two selections, coming from the movies Bodyguard (Teri Meri) and Dabangg (Teri Maste Maste), were definite audience favourites.

Persons of various ages occupying the general section, who could not get a satisfying view of this unique artist, seated themselves comfortably on the ground alongside the barriers; while members of the VVIP section, having a closer view of the legend, made use of their Smartphone digital cameras and tablets to immortalise memories of this extravaganza.
Khan finally introduced his 22 band members. Amongst the back-up singers were his brother and first cousin. He thereafter voiced appreciation and love for Guyana, which he referred to as a musical city with music lovers.

According to promoter Salman Ahmad, this concert is recorded as Khan’s 59th performance in live entertainment and his next show will be held in Long Island, New York.

Ahmad expressed sincere gratitude to the Minister of Tourism and others for making the concert a success.  

The sponsors of the event were BK International, Dave Imports, Digicom, Star Party Rentals, ANSA McAL (Carib Beer), National Television Network (NTN), Jai Signs, N and S Mattai, and the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), among others.

Fateh Ali Khan is an acclaimed singer and composer who has collaborated with numerous artistes from India as well as Western pop musicians. He has released more than 50 albums and has sung 30-plus title tracks of Hindi TV soap operas, serials and dozens of super hits of Bollywood Filmi songs in the last years.