The Chowmahalla Palace, a symbol of Hyderabad's rich Nawabi history, made a great venue for the Aman ki Asha Concert — a joint initiative of The Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan — on Saturday.
The venue was magnificently lit, creating the ambience for a perfect Sufiana evening. The crowds walked in much ahead of time to be a part of the peace concert. Sufi singer Sanam Marvi from Pakistan and Indian playback singer Rekha Bhardwaj put across their message of peace and love through Sufiana kalam and some Bollywood numbers. Sanam took the stage first. "I'm elated to be a part of the City of Nawaabs. Hyderabad's culture is similar to my hometown, Lahore. The grandeur of the venue is breathtaking," said the singer before she began her rendition of Sufi numbers.
The audience — sitting on the gaddis in baithak style — was mesmerised as Sanam sang compositions by Bulleh Shah, Baba Sheikh Farid and Sachal Sarmast, among others. Chhap Tilak and Main Jaano Aur Mera Khuda Jaane had the audience giving her thunderous applause. Sanam, who belongs to the Sindh region in Pakistan, also sang her own Sindhi composition. After enthralling the audience for more than 45 minutes, Sanam then invited Rekha Bhardwaj on stage. The duo sang Mast Kalandar, leaving the audience deliriously happy as they sang along. After that, Rekha took centre-stage. She began the evening singing Tere Ishq Main, saying, "I dedicate this song to Sanam as this is her favourite number." A few Sufi numbers later, Rekha switched to her popular Bollywood numbers. "Yeh mehfil itni khoobsurat hai, ki main filmi gaane nahi gaana chahati hoon. Lekin aap mujhe jaane nahi deenge." The popular Genda Phool from Delhi-6 got the audience on its feet. She then rendered Ranjha Ranjha on request before ending the concert. "I love this city. I have friends here who I've known for more than 30 years. Hope woh meri aawaz sun ke aaj khush ho jaayenge," said Rekha.
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