Renowned ghazal and Bollywood Singer Mohammed Vakil enthralled the audience here at Daulia Convention Center, on the outskirts of Riyadh, with the rendition of popular ghazals and songs. A large number of Asians attended the Live Ghazal Concert organized by the Indo Arab Friendship Association (IAFA). Ghazal, a popular genre in the subcontinent, is a poetic form with rhyming couplets and a refrain, each line sharing the same meter. Prominent Businessman and Chairman Delhi Public School Nadeem Tarin inaugurated the ghazal evening by lighting the candle. On behalf of IAFA, Ghazanfar Ali Khan, bureau chief, Arab News, welcomed the audience and said the group IAFA that was formed last year felicitated Bihar finance minister and organized many functions. He added that IAFA is taking roots in many cities in the Kingdom and also in India. Mohammed Quaiser, president, Tanzeem Hum Hindustani and OUAAR conducted the proceedings and introduced Mohammed Vakil to the audience. Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Ali, Mohammed Shakeel, Pervez Rahman presented flower bouquets to Vakil and his troupe. Former Chairman IISR Talib Ur Rahman presented the traditional shawl to Vakil. Senior Manager at ANB Shahid Siddqui was the guest of honor. Winner of Sa Re Ga Ma television competition, Vakil started with a naat and presented selected Urdu ghazals, of Ghulam Ali, Noorjahan and famous Bollywood numbers of Mohammed Rafi, and other singers. He also presented his famous qawwali from the Bollywood film Veer Zara. Vakil thanked IAFA for organizing this event and added that Tarin had always encouraged him and provided him with opportunities to perform in Riyadh. "The Indian community in Saudi Arabia are real music lovers and have a vast knowledge about the music and that is why I visit the Kingdom regularly," he added. The 40 years old Vakil hails from Jaipur, India, from a family of well-known ghazal singers. Vakil takes guidance and motivation from his maternal uncles Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain. A die-hard fan of Bollywood movies First Counselor Economics and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Marek Malarski had called the Indian Embassy to attend the event. Malarski was very happy to attend this event. Talking to Saudi Gazette he said he is a big fan of Bollywood movies and he couldn't stop himself from attending the ghazal nite of Mohammed Vakil when he came to know about this. He was impressed with the warm hospitality of the Indian community and expressed his desire and wishes to enjoy similar events to be held in Riyadh in future. Sakib Manzar Khan proposed the vote of thanks especially to the sponsors of this program Delhi Public School, LuLu Hypermarkets, Al-Kabeer, Basicx, Fawri and Friendi. Dr. Dilnawaz Romi, Shahid Siddqui, Mohammed Quaiser, Pervez Rahman, Dr. Mohammed Ashraf Ali, Mohammed Shakeel actively participated in organizing this program. — SG
