Singing sensation regales EP expats

DAMMAM: A versatile and award-winning singer from India charmed a select gathering of Indian and Pakistani expatriates at the Dunes International School at the weekend.
Mohammed Vakil, whose recently released album “Tera Khayaal” is creating waves in the music world, sang a number of popular Bollywood numbers and famous Urdu ghazals and qawwalis in his lilting, pulsating and rhythmic tune.
Well-known Indian expatriate and assistant chief operating officer at Al-Latifia, Shariq Jamal Shamsi, hosted the evening to celebrate a family event.
“There can be no two opinions about Vakil’s singing abilities,” said Shamsi. “It was good to see the audience crooning the songs after him and tapping their feet at the good music.”
The event brought together prominent Indians and Pakistanis such as Dr. Jamil Ahmad Qureshy, Akhlaq H. Khan, Amjad Khan, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rahman, Dharminder Manon, Shoaib Ahmad Quraishi, Parvez Qader Askari, Azeem Warsi, Supriya Kher, Mohammad Rahat Sultan, Muzzaffar Mohiuddin, Syed Abdallah Rizvi, Danish Rahman, Jawaid Ali Khan and Fahimul Islam.
“Vakil is young and dynamic, and he has a bright future ahead of him,” said the elderly Jamil Qureshy. “His range is fabulous and his performance was excellent.”
Through his tasteful renditions at the event, Vakil paid tributes to such music legends as Jagjit Singh, Mehdi Hassan, Farida Khanum, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali.
“I am always overwhelmed by the love and recognition that is showered on me by the music lovers in the Kingdom,” said Vakil. “This is one of the few reasons why I keep visiting Saudi Arabia again and again.”
The Jaipur-born Vakil hails from a family of well-known classical ghazal singers. He shot to fame with his first stage performance in 1985 at the age of eight. He attributes his success to guidance and motivation of his maternal uncles and renowned ghazal maestros Ustad Mohammed Hussain and Ustad Ahmed Hussain. Vakil rode the crest of popularity with the break in famous 2006 Bollywood film, “Veer Zara.”
He has five major music albums to his credit, including “Sapnay,” “Kasak,” “Guzarish” and the most recent “Tera Khayaal.”
“A singer needs the appreciation of the music lovers,” said Vakil. “Without this appreciation and recognition, it becomes a one-way traffic.”
The best compliment for Vakil came from Dr. Saleem-ur-Rahman: “The best part about Vakil is that he is modest and that sets him apart from the other singing sensations.”
“Despite all the success and a brilliant voice, he has ensured that he remains full of humility and it is this particular quality that endears him to his listeners,” he said.
Nida Jamil anchored the evening with confidence and won many laurels.