Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH – “Shaam-e-Ghazal (An evening of poetry)” was organized by an Indian expatriate, Pervez Rehman, at the Jori Jori hall in Riyadh, Friday. Renowned Ghazal singer Mohammed Vakil was the master of the evening and he enthralled the audiences of Riyadh with popular musical renditions of late Mohammed Rafi, Ghulam Ali, Pankaj Udhas, and other singers. Prominent members of the Indian community, including Abdul Hameed, vice president Hindustani Bazm-e-Urdu, Dr. Mohammed Ashraf, president APUS, Dr. Muqtar, Dr. Hanif Tareen along with a large number of Indian community members were present. Vakil, the winner of the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, has a number of music albums to his credit, namely, “Sapnay,” “Kasak,” “Guzarish” and recently “Tera Khayaal.” Vakil's latest album “Tera Khayaal” was released by a prominent Riyadh-based businessman Nadeem Tarin. The album, which has received an overwhelming response in India and Middle East, features eight Ghazals written by Quateel Shifai, Waali Aasi, Hasrat Jaipuri, Rafiq Jaipuri, Dr.Hanif Tarin, Krishina Bihari Noor, Ustad Afzal Hussain. The album is distributed by Red Ribbon Entertainment private limited. Vakil thanked Rahman for organizing such a beautiful event. He said that Rahman always encouraged him and provided him with opportunities to perform in Riyadh. “The Indian Community in Saudi Arabia are real music lovers and have vast knowledge about music and that is why I visit the Kingdom regularly,” said Vakil. Owner of Johan Jewelers and chief guest Mir Muzafar Ali, who inaugurated the event, said Vakil has a promising future in music because of his excellent performances. He also presented the versatile singer with a traditional shawl. Jeelani Omer Shaikh presented bouquets to Ali and MAR Saleem. Bollywood singer from A. R. Rahman's group Mohammed Aslam termed Vakil's performance as awesome. The 37-year-old singer hails from Jaipur, India, from a family of well-known Ghazal singers. He takes guidance and motivation from his maternal uncles Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain.
