KUUMAR SHYAM (ALETIHAD)
Anuradha Paudwal, a famous Indian singer from the late 1980s and onwards, made a rare appearance on the Indian music concert scene in Dubai this weekend, adding to another unique combination of famous artists who gathered for a musical with a spiritual flavour at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Paudwal, whose vocals behind the songs of the 1990 Hindi film release "Aashiqui" became a rage, has had her career veer towards devotional songs after a few years of doing both until around 2006. Her presence, along with Kailash Kher, another singer with a bent towards Sufi music, were the highlights of the evening.
Originally meant to be a private gathering for 3,000, the DWTC was brimming with more than 5,000 attendees, who were also treated to a final dollop of cultural delights from the most famous singer of the evening – Sonu Nigam. The now Dubai resident had a performance on New Year's Eve with Asha Bhosale, flew to Kolkata for another show on January 4 and performed again inside the span of 48 hours in Dubai.
Yet, the energy inside the dark Zabeel Halls only rose by the hour in the evening as attendees soaked in the cultural gathering at the invitation of the Bollywood father-son duo of Suresh and Vivek Oberoi, who run a real-estate business called BNW Developments along with Ankur Aggarwal.
The evening was a seamless blend of faith, music, and unity, offering a truly immersive experience for all attendees providing a divine start to the new year filled with hope and blessings. With every corner of the venue echoing with devotion and prayer, the event served as a powerful reminder of the shared values that bind communities together in the UAE, transcending barriers of culture and faith.
Gracing the occasion and doing the opening honours was the chief priest of the Abu Dhabi temple, Brahmavihari Swami.
"Seeing so many beautiful souls gathered in faith fills my heart with deep gratitude. We are truly humbled by the overwhelming support and thankful to everyone who joined us in this moment of divine blessing," said Aggarwal from the stage.
The event was a true reflection of the bonds that unite people across the UAE, fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual harmony.