When you are asked to review an artist’s show for the third time, you wonder what new things can you talk about. But if it is Sonu Nigam and you are promised ‘a rollercoaster ride’, you know you’ll come out of it with a head reeling with excitement.
On Friday night at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, with the Klose To My Soul show organised by Oberoi Middle East — an offshoot of last year’s sold out Klose to My Heart at the same venue — the Indian National Award-winning Bollywood singer took the audience on a ‘soulful’ journey with his rocking tribute to his country’s singing legends and only a few of his own Bollywood numbers.
The evening was opened by Canadian singer Jonita Gandhi, who broke into Bollywood with Chennai Express last year. Gandhi alternated with Nigam’s younger sister Teesha, who sang the title song of Singh Sahab The Great (2013), singing Asha Bhosle hits Aao Huzoor Tumko (Kismat, 1968), Aaiye Meherbaan (Howrah Bridge, 1958), Raat Akeli Hai (Jewel Thief, 1967) and O Mere Sona Re (Teesri Manzil, 1966). Needless to say the girls wowed the crowd and have a bright future in the Indian film industry.
I was expecting Gandhi and Teesha to continue for another quarter of an hour but 15 minutes into the show, the star was on the stage, launching straight into Taron Mein Sajke Apne Suraj Se Milne, a forgotten song — must remember to update my collection — sung by Mukesh in the film Jal Bin Machchli Nritya Bin Bijli (1971), quickly following this soulful number with Mohammad Rafi’s peppy Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekheen (The Train, 1970) and Kishore Kumar’s romantic Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat (Teen Deviyan, 1965).
Yes, the rollercoaster ride had begun.
Nigam sang several hit numbers back to back by the three legends, rarely breaking for breath. The cheering audience couldn’t seem to get enough of him, singing along with him when he put the microphone towards them and clapping when he gestured.
He then called his sister to sing Chup Chup Ke from Bunty Aur Babli (2005) and Chori Chori Chupke Se Aake Meri Aankhon Mein Sama Ja (Lucky, 2005) with Gandhi — two numbers he claimed he’d not sung on stage before.
“I wonder why I didn’t include these in my list before,” he said as he began to sing Jaane Nahin Denge from the 2009 mega blockbuster 3 Idiots. “Guess I was waiting a for a Klose To My Soul to sing them.
“I’ve chosen to sing these [old] songs not just as a tribute to the legends of Indian film music but because many of these songs have been originally played by the members of my band. I am honoured to be performing with musicians of such calibre.”
The tribute continued with special sections for R.D. Burman, where Nigam recreated the magic by singing songs the composer had sung himself, such as Samundar Mein Naha Ke (Pukar, 1983) and Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay, 1975) and after the interval to Manna Dey with Laga Chunri Mein Daag (Dil Hi To Hai, 1963) and Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rayn Bitai (Meri Surat Teri Aankhen, 1963) and Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli (Anand, 1971).
But not before he remembered his mother, who passed away last year. She attended all his shows in Dubai. “I have my two sisters, my wife, my children, my father all sitting here. But I don’t have my mother. She’s my soul,” said a tearful Nigam, singing Mujhe Tum Yaad Aaye (originally sung by Mohammad Rafi in Taqdeer, 1971, and sung by Nigam in his tribute album to Rafi) and leaving many in the audience dewy-eyed, before “getting back to work!”
What pleasantly surprised me was him singing Lata Mangeshkar’s Ruke Ruke Se Qadam (Mausam, 1975) and Mai Ri Main Kaise Kahoon (Dastak, 1970). He also sang the duet Aaj Ki Raat (Don, 2006) in both the male and female voices, proving he’s truly the ‘lord of the chords’.
The last half-hour of the show was dedicated to fans’ requests and Nigam ended the show by obliging them with his all-time hits Suraj Hua Madham (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, 2001), Tumko Bhi Hai Pata and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), Tanhai (Dil Chahta Hai, 2001), Abhi Mujhme Kahin Baki Thodi Si Hai Zindagi (Agneepath, 2012) and the epic Kal Ho Na Ho (2003).
