Arveen Sharma
Popular Indian playback singer Udit Narayan won the hearts of thousands of his fans during his recent tour of Australia, with shows packed to capacity in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
He was at his best at the concert held at the Australian National University auditorium in the Federal Capital, with calls for encore and a deluge of requests from the audience. As a professional entertainer, he demonstrated his ability to motivate, inspire and captivate people.
Timeless melodies
The audience cheered as he rendered the hits that made films box-office hits, catapulting stars, composers and lyricists to fame. Among them were ‘Papa Kehte Hai’ (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak), ‘Tere Naam’ (Title track) ‘Jadu Teri Nazar’ (Darr) and ‘Nazar Nazar’ (Fida).
Udit is known for several songs that became super hits. There was constant applause for his rendition of great numbers such as ‘Aye Ajnabee Tu Bhi Khabhie’ (Dil Se); ‘Nasha Ye Pyar Ka Nasha Hai’ (Mann) and ‘Phela Nasha’ (Jo Jeeta Woh Hi Sikandar).
The audience could not hold back to his ‘Mitwa’ (Lagaan); they began singing with him, also expressing their appreciation.
Audience in trance
As they showed their love for the visiting artiste, Udit cast a spell over the entire auditorium with his mesmerising performance and it was just impossible not to sing along with him.
It was pleasing to see such a famous artiste interacting with the audience and performing requests from different groups of the Indian Subcontinent. To fulfil the inundating requests, Udit rendered songs in Marathi, Bengali, Nepali, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. Just before interval, he hyped up the audience again with his hit song ‘Main Nikla Gaddi Leke’ (Gadar), which encouraged a few to perform the famous Bhangra from Punjab.
The second half picked up tempo with ‘Ooh La La Tu Hai Meri Fantasy’ (Dirty Picture) and ‘Radha on the Dance Floor’ (Student of the Year). Udit continued to enchant his fans with several more hits, among the highlights of which was ‘Aye Mere Hum Safar’ (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak) ‘Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar,’ Aisa Zakham Diya Hai’ (Akele Hum Akele Tum), ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (Title songs).
Local talents
A number of local artistes were fortunate to perform with Udit, including Ahmed Sahu Khan (Canberra based Bhangra teacher), Sydney’s popular drummer and performer Praneel Chand, singers and dancers Priya and Adnan.
Arveen Sharma is Senior Procurement/Contract Management Officer at the Treasury Directorate of the Federal Government of Australia based in Canberra.
Photo Caption: Udit Narayan with Ahmed Sahu Khan in Canberra
