With a packed house of Saudi and expatriate music lovers, it was an entertainment-filled night at the Toshi Sabri and Sharib Sabri's program organized by an expat cultural group ‘The Rhythmm' in collaboration with Haqqan group and Melody Loverz last Thursday in Jeddah. When Sabri brothers visited Jeddah last year, it was pretty clear that they will have successful subsequent tours here, as scores of fans reportedly complained of missing the show at social networking forums like Facebook and Twitter. Though Sabri brothers have been working in music industry since many years, it was their only fourth show together. The signature songs of the duo like Mahe Ve (Raaz: The mystery), Sainya Ve (Jail), Aaya Re and Nazrein Karam (Jashnn) were the soul of the concert. However, melodious, pop and remix hit numbers of Bollywood were also their picks to please the audience. Above all, being the sons of esteemed classical vocalist, Ustad Akram Sabri, they were enough smart to add the commendable and appropriate couplets during their medley, providing a unique element of a Mushaira in a music concert. Sharib was remarkable for the non-verbal communication with audience as he was practically teaching the specific moves and steps to audience during his performance. First, he took out his jacket and then his tie, saying in jest, ‘should I takeout my shirt as well?' ‘Leave something for me to perform,' his brother Toshi sent the message to him. “Hey…let me go…Toshi will beat me.” Sharib jested before the long awaited entry of Toshi. Audience ran toward the Sabri brothers when they found them entering and exiting the stage. Attired in a pure white trouser and a tight-fitting shirt, Toshi was ready to capture the hearts by his hit numbers. Even the Arabic speaking security men gathered around the stage to watch his performance. He proved his versatility by singing in every genre. The peak came when he sang ‘Mast Nazro se' of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and ‘Teri Soorat' of Aziz Mian Qawwal. “I have a pain in my rib as I got injured while trying to touch Hajre Aswad during Umrah. Now I have to travel to Mumbai straight from the concert's venue. First, I will drop my family who came to Saudi Arabia with me. Then I've to catch a flight to Hyderabad as I will have to perform in another concert there. I usually stay sleepless and work hard,” said Toshi to Saudi Gazette. “I am happy that I succeeded in captivating my fans here…I totally forgot my rib's pain during the show. But now I am feeling it after the concert,” he added. Orchestra was led by Bollywood musician Ateeq (who came with Sabri brothers to perform), which comprised Asif Nadeem on the keyboard, and guitarist brothers Hira and Panna. Local artists that participated in the program included: Lollywood's singer Omer Farooq, Swarti Krishna, Abdul Rafey Khan, Amjad Hussain Baig, Jawwad Siddiqui and Aadil Khan of The Band 11. Program was well anchored by Ashfaq Badayuni. Organizer Zahid Siddiqui – who also sang in the show – seemed very happy after the program. “It's my hobby to entertain the people by organizing concerts because I am myself a singer and a student of Akram Sabri,” he said. Siddiqui said that he wants to bring new and young celebrities to entertain people. A delighted Saudi fan of Toshi and Sharib, Abu Younus Abdulaziz, said that he found the program well organized, and security arrangement was superb. Another Pakistani attendee Dr. Tariq Shahid said that organizer should be congratulated for such a great event. “Toshi and Sharib's shows should be organized here frequently. I never witnessed such a wonderful concert here before,” he added.
