What do you say of the star of the show that slips quietly on stage rather than be announced?
Thursday night as the Grand Symphony Orchestra from London opened the show at the Dubai World Trade Centre, only those in the first few rows knew that Arijit Singh with his guitar was on stage jamming with the orchestra. It was only later when his face came on the big screen that the crowd burst into cheers.
The show started a few minutes after the scheduled time, organisers Raging Tiger Concert Series making sure the audience didn’t wait — a quality rarely observed in concerts and shows featuring Bollywood stars. The show was held in association with Dubai Shopping Festival.
After thanking the full house — the show had sold out three weeks before — Singh began the show with Muskurane from Citylights and the sensuous Laal Ishq from Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela, which he said was a “very special” song for him.
For the next three hours — with a half-hour break — Singh belted out hit after hit such as Chahun main ya na (Aashiqui 2) , Main Rang Sharbaton Ka (Phata Poster Nikla Hero), Har Kisi ko Nahin Milta (Boss), Aaj Phir Tumpe Pyar Aaya Hai (Hate Story 2), Mast Magan (2 States), Kabhi jo Badal Barse (Jackpot), Suno Na Sangemarmar (Youngistaan) — in all, his entire collection of hits — sending the audience into a frenzy.
The second half of the show began with an unplugged session where Singh sang Gulon Mein Rang Bhare (Haider), Phir Le Aya Dil (Barfi!), Tose Naina (Mickey Virus), playing the piano and accompanied by a guitarist. Needless to say these renditions gathered just as many cheers from the crowd as his peppy numbers.
By this time screams for Kabira (Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani) filled the hall but the 27-year-old wasn’t yet in the mood to indulge the request. He was saving the best – Kabira and “the song that made him” Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2) — for the grand finale.
Who would believe that probably most — if not all — members of the symphony orchestra didn’t understand a word that Singh sang. It’s truly said music knows no language barriers. The orchestra not just synced with Singh’s guitar and band, but was glorious in certain segments. Often outshining Singh in particular moments, especially towards the end, playing to Dil Tu Sambhalja Zara (Murder 2), Tere Bin Main Kaise Jiya (Bas Ek Pal), Raabta (Agent Vinod), Kabira and Tum Hi Ho.
I missed them playing in songs such as Lagja Gale (Who Kaun Thi), Hamari Adhuri Kahani (Gangster) when Singh sang his “favourite” songs sung by artistes such as Mohit Chauhan, KK, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Lata Mangeshkar and Reshma, and others.
You know the show is a hit when 3,000-plus people sing along to the performer’s every song. In his interview with tabloid! last week, Singh had aired his fears about things going wrong with “little technical nitty-gritties” as he was performing for the first time with a symphony orchestra. If any did take place, I’m sure the audience didn’t notice as they were having too much fun.
