The Pakistani Spectator

Not many know that the IDP Charity Concert held last month came together in barely a week’s time! Interestingly, Partylicious heard about the event 5-6 days before its D-Day when we were sitting down for an informal chatter with Adnan Sarwar of Racing Pakistan. When he told us that efforts were being made to make this concert happen in a matter of 5 days, we eyed him doubtfully and then his green tea wondering if it had been spiked or something. 5 days only? Why not give it another week’s cushion? “The people who need our assistance can’t wait, then how can we. It will happen for sure,” he had said with a glint of hope and conviction in his eyes.

And happen it did!

A one man’s show this event certainly wasn’t. Numerous individuals were involved in this effort that included musicians, students, social workers, event managers from Lahore and many more! A citizen’s event, by the citizens and for the citizens is what this was. In the true spirit of unity and with utmost respect for the cause as it was, Royal Palm gave their Marquee hall out on the lawns for free. The star studded line up of performers featuring Mekaal Hassan, Coven, Caramel, and Overload did not charge. Kiran Chaudhry of Caramel single handedly ensured the event’s sale of well over 50 percent! The Students Action Committee worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Friends, families, and everyone who pitched in to help by tangible and intangible means attributed to it’s success indeed.

Royal Palm’s expansive outdoor location, the Marquee, lies in the west wing of its premises and was all glimmers with the L-Town’s finest as well as the countless streams of media that had come to cover the event. The venue resembled a medium size warehouse with the stage set up at one end and cocktail tables set up in the middle and all around. Merchandise stalls with T-shirts and accessories featuring works by Maliha Naipaul, Omar Jehanzeb, and Munib Nawaz who had donated part of their sales for the cause. Actively supporting the designers’ efforts from the front lines were two very energetic and hyper individuals; Selina Rashid of Lotus PR and Kamiar Rokni who were wearing the shirts themselves. The general mood seemed very upbeat as the place was filling up quickly. Need we mention again that something that took barely 5-6 days to set up and put together was indeed an impressive effort so far.

Around 11:30 pm, Adnan Sarwar took the stage and beckoned everyone to come together up front. He spoke passionately about the need to do whatever is possible to help those who, in barely a moment, lost everything they had and were in dire need of help and support. Heartening to see also were Kamiar Rokni and Selina Rashid who personally took it on themselves to distribute green and white ribbons in the audience to proudly wear as a show of support for the IDPs. A 2 minute silence was also requested in the memory of fellow musician Jamal Mustafa who had recently passed away. Very touching and appropriate indeed since most of the people gathered that night knew him or were friends and family.

The first performance of the night was Mekaal Hassan with Coven onstage. If nothing else, the superb quality of the sound system at the venue came out with force and blew us away (or maybe it was because we were standing up front and close to the stereos!). Mekaal, as always, made us move and groove with the plucks of his guitar. Interesting sight it was to see Coven’s guitarist Hamza Jafri with the word ALLAH inscribed on his guitar as if a message was being conveyed to those who are using religion as a tool, imparting the wrong vision of Islam and abusing it for personal gains while spreading anarchy in Pakistan! The crowd and the music were definitely moving in the right direction as Javed Bashir, Mekaal Hassan Band’s gem of a vocalist carried us from one soulful journey to another with his classical talents that he is so famous for. It was wonderful to see was how well synched Coven and Mekaal Hassan’s Band were while performing. It was definitely a tread to watch and the best way to kick off the night.

Before the next performance could take place, Adnan Sarwar took to the stage to inform us that the Royal Palm Management is pressing to wrap up the proceedings at the earliest since they had to set up the venue for another event the next day. This was nothing short of disappointing because the message that was being sailed across clearly meant that the remaining performers will now be working on a strict timeline: something that music definitely is NOT meant to abide by. As impressed we were by Royal Palm’s gracious offering by letting this event happen on their turf for free, this stupendous and utterly demeaning disposition of trying to literally choke the event is not a settling thought by a far stretch. This was not a commercial venture aimed at making profits to be reaped later by the organizers. Royal Palm knew well the noble cause behind this event and that should have been respected at all levels. It took sheer hard work and combined efforts to bring it all together in a span of 5 days or so and it was a shame to see the management at Royal Palm marring those efforts by pushing to shut down the event as soon as possible.

People were still groaning about the announcement by Adnan when Kiran Chaudhry took to the stage. If you have read our review of the Caramel Fever by Verve Events that happened a few months back, you’d know that we at Partylicious are avid fans of this girl! She’s charming, talented, and got one helluva voice that makes you want to sing along from the start to the end! Thus it was no wonder that her presence on stage made the crowds break in to loud cheers, momentarily forgetting the nastiness that the Royal Palm management was trying to stuff down our throats! She was joined by Muhammad Agha and of course there were three supporting vocalists that the band is so famous for! We made a mental note to inquire from Kiran later on how does Caramel choose them to begin with. Kiran’s performance, as always, was very upbeat and elevating. She is truly a people’s person and knows well how to take the crowd along and that night as no exception! Kiran’s superb ability to make you want to let loose and dance could be seen influencing everyone around in the crowd. Selina Rashid and Kamiar Rokni were unstoppable along with the likes of HSY and many others as we all swayed to her voice.

Good news came along as soon as Caramel finished their act that some strings had been pulled and the event could possibly be stretched a bit more! Ah well, something is better than nothing at least. So the night as to be wrapped up with the stylish and flamboyant gang of Overload! For the record, this was the first time we witnessed the magic of Misha Shafi vocal fill our ears and leave us with an admirable awe. Is this girl good or is she good. Yes, she’s a great model but little did we know (or ever realize) that from her singing days at NCA’s musical nights, she would one day be throwing her perfectly pitched octaves at us with Overload! Kiran has her place in our heart and ears but that night, we definitely made room for one more! Not to take anything away from the ever vivacious Farhad Humayun who and Mahmood who were at their very best that night as well!

It was close to 1 in the morning when they called it a night. Adnan and Kiran spoke to the audience, thanking them profusely for the wonderful show of support and contributions that would go to the cause. We’ve heard that between 450 – 500 people showed up that night and excluding the expenditures incurred by the organizers, well over Rs. 400,000 were raised – good enough to feed and help up to 400 small families for a month! Its facts like these that make you realize how much did buying a single ticket alone helped.

Talking to Partylicious, Adnan was full of high spirits and very pleased with the outcome. As a gentleman as he is, he brushed aside any comments on the Royal Palm’s management pushing for an early closure or a certain someone’s efforts to malign the event. “I’d like for the positives to be brought to light than the negatives in all communications. Don’t you think?” We couldn’t agree more. The spirit and the unity that came forth by all who came to see, or perform that night must not take a back seat. We know for a fact that there are many other similar events that will follow soon copying the concept that Adnan and co worked tirelessly to promote and bring together. We only hope that it will not be marred by internal conflicts, politics, and inflated egos.

In this hour of need, we need to forget about personal differences and come together to support each other as well as those who look up to us for all sorts of assistance. Perhaps, any one who bears such ill will should take a cue from those who came together at the IDP Concert itself!

Let’s work towards a better Pakistan… let’s work together!

WHAT WORKED

• The crowd - energetic, vibrant, and larger than life!
• The impressive line up of performers. While it could have been even better but we’re not complaining on the quality factor one bit! Outstanding!
• The amazing support that Lahore gave in all forms and manner to the cause.
  

WHAT DID NOT WORK

• Royal Palm’s childish squabble to wrap up the concert as early as 12 midnight when it started around 11:15 pm. The sound check couldn’t be done because there was not power till 6:30 pm so the management part certainly needs improvement and due consideration!
• A sea of cameras! Perhaps having press enclosure would have been better. Too many cameras and usually in your face and blocking the view countless times. We were in the front line and still had trouble seeing the action on stage
• Need we point out that certain prominent names from Lahore’s (as well as from over Pakistan’s) music industry backed out that night to perform? The credit for this feat goes to someone from Karachi who, according to reliable sources, did indeed forbid artists to participate in the event because she wants to bake her own pie and eat it too by organizing a charity event of her own soon! Granted this is a cut throat-competitive-dog eat dog world but even charity? What happened to plain old decency and morals? The fact that certain elements from within the event management and music fraternity chose personal interests over the bigger picture is really sad and disappointing.

- All images are © Partylicious and Bilal Rashid.

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