Shreya Ghoshal has performed in Dubai several times. But you still don’t want to miss each time she does a gig here, even if she repeats some of her chart-busting hits — you only get a sense of pleasant deja vu. That’s because she has a way of captivating the audience with her lilting voice and immediately turns the atmosphere magical with her musical repertoire.
Friday night’s performance at Shaikh Saeed Auditorium at the Dubai World Trade Centre had all the trappings to make the evening a memorable one: acoustics, rear projection screens, an orchestra and, above all, a receptive audience.
The diva of Bollywood, who has also sung in multiple Indian language films, has a rare quality to bring out emotions like her idol, Indian singing legend Lata Mangeshkar. Akin to her previous shows, Ghoshal paid tribute to the ‘golden era’ of Indian film music with songs rendered by Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh.
With songs such as Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein, Aapki Nazrone Samjha, Ab To Hain Tumse Har Khushi Apni, Aaa Jaane Naa, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja and Dum Maro Dum, she virtually transported the audience to that bygone era.
Ghoshal was a livewire act and expected her fans to match her zest. The hall reverberated with applause at every hit she belted out. That gave her the energy to come out with more peppy numbers. She also regaled her audience with anecdotes, joking that it had rained the one time she performed Barso Re Megha at an outdoor concert.
She also gave a twist to her own hits. When she rendered Zoobi Doobi Zoobi Doobi Nache, for instance, she modified it to sound like a classical song.
Bairi Piya from her debut film Devdas; Nagada Sang Dhol from Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela; Itti Si Hasi from Barfi; Tujh Main Rab Dikhta Hai from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi; Teri Ore from Singh is Kinng; Ooh Lala Ooh Lala from The Dirty Picture and Aami Je Tomar from Bhool Bhulaiya are some of the numbers that will stay with you until Ghoshal’s next performance in the UAE.
Ghoshal rounded the show with Mangeshkar’s all-time favourite — Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Yeh Hasin Raat Ho Na Ho... (Come let’s hug, for we don’t know if there will be another such beautiful night). There will be many more such nights, we hope.
