By Firdaus Ali in Toronto
Great acoustics, terrific sound, and memorable melodies from the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio, transformed Toronto’s Meridian Hall into one hell of a musical mashup!
The powerhouse composers had audiences in a frenzy as they played to a packed house in the Kal Ho Na Ho live musical concert in Toronto last week.
The show started with Vakratunda Mahakaya Ganesha Mantra, followed by an electrifying Shiva Tandav, giving audiences a glimpse to what Indian classical and devotional music has to offer.
Suno gaur se dunia walo, buri nazar na humpe daalo… sabse aage honge Hindustani from SEL’s first Hindi film Dus, managed to set the tone for the show and composer Shankar Mahadevan had audiences eating out of his musical hand, as he belted one hit song after another.
Male singers Karthik Raman and son Shivam Mahadevan and female vocalists Shrinidhi Ghatage and Prakriti Giri accompanied him. The fathers-son duo performing Breathless, Noor-e-Khuda, Mast Magan and rendering a funky & groovy version of Dil Chahta Hai title song, were some memorable moments from the show.
Audiences danced to the tunes of the ace musicians as they offered an impressive lineup of Bollywood songs from the SEL 30-year partnership, ranging from Salaam-e-Ishq, Senorita, Havan Karenge, Tere Naina, It’s the Time to Disco, Jaane Kyon Log Pyar Karte Hai among others.
Full marks to Shankar who interacted with the audience and kept them at the edge of their seats throughout the three-hour bonanza. “I love the way he interacts with the audience,” commented one music lover, singing along to the SEL-composed Bol Halke Halke from the film Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
Ehsaan enthralled audiences with his electrifying guitar rendition, while Loy impressed with a keyboard performance of Slow Motion Angreza. The show also included a lineup of instrumental renditions including the congo section that transitioned into a groovy bass and kick rhythm.
Songs like Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna title song, Kaisi Hai Ye Rut Suhani, Jaane Kyon Log Pyaar Karte Hai, Tanhaayee and Meri Maa reconfirmed that SEL are masters of the craft and can hit all the right notes even 30 years later.
One of the show’s highlights was Shankar humming a number he called, “From Jalandar, to Toronto…especially for the ladies.” The song, of course was none other than, Maine jise abhi abhi dekha hai…kaun hai wo anjaani…Pretty Woman, which received a much-deserving response from the audience.
While the “Unplugged Section” included soulful melodies like Khaabon Ke Parinday, Mera Yaar and Agar Mein Kahun — the latter half of the show seemed a bit rushed due to a sharp 10 pm closing time. “I really wanted to dance to Kajrare,” lamented a SEL fan from the audience.
Indo-Canadians the show left the show feeling a great amount of pride for India and Indian classical music. And great appreciation for western and fusion music as well!
This is what a great global musical concert can do!
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