Top Pakistani artistes to perform on National Day

By Umer Nangiana

A plethora of Pakistani artistes including folk singers Allan Fakir junior and Akhtar Chanal are coming to town to entertain the local expatriate communities on Qatar’s National Day on December 18.

Popular comedians besides an array of singers along with local schoolchildren will set the stage at Al Wakrah Stadium, as part of the cultural and entertainment activities slated for this year’s Qatar National Day.

Event Management Committee of the Pakistani community, headed by Rashid Nizam, the Community Welfare Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan, is co-ordinating this event to be held under the patronage of National Day Celebrations Organizing Committee in association with the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

“We feel privileged and honoured that MoI has invited us to be part of Qatar National Day celebrations once again. Like previous years, our community will take part in the celebrations with great enthusiasm. We will try our best to showcase Pakistan’s rich culture and demonstrate our love for Qatar,” said Nizam.

This year’s theme is “Honesty and Loyalty to Qatar.” Other than Fakir Junior and Chanal, artistes from Pakistan include Malkoo, the Punjabi Bhangra (a style of Punjabi music) sensation; Shahsawar Khan, a pashto singer; Masood Khawaja, the comedian; and Usman Bangash and Dildar Khan.

Many of these artistes will perform for the first time in Doha. Chanal is an award-winning internationally acclaimed Balochi folk singer who along with his contemporary Allan Fakir popularised the traditional Balochi style of singing.

Fakir died in 2002. His disciple Allan Fakir Junior, however, is now carrying on with his legacy and will perform in Doha for the first time.

Fakir was known to be one of the greatest exponents of Sufi genre of music in Pakistan. Chanal and Fakir, both of them individually have produced a number of hits that have been widely televised in Pakistan.

Chanal won Pakistan’s Pride of Performance award in 1998. He featured in season 4 of Coke Studio Pakistan, a popular television platform for music, particularly Sufi genre. Since his song Deer Deer in 1974, Chanal has produced many hits and has travelled all over the world, including the United States, the Netherlands and Europe for concerts.

Punjabi Bhangra sensation Malkoo is known for many songs. Breaking onto the music scene with his solo albums in 2004, Malkoo has gone on to produce many albums and hit songs. He has toured many countries including the United States of America and Canada to perform for the local Pakistani communities.

Having a distinct voice and style, Malkoo captivates his listeners. Young and rising Pashto star Shah Sawar Khan will also be performer to watch. Born in Karachi in 1992, the young singer is dubbed as the future of Pashto music.

Masood Khawaja, the popular TV artist and comedian, shot to fame after appearing in ATV’s (a Pakistani television channel) popular comedy show Khawaja Online. He will be performing in Doha for second time.

Along with Pakistani community, other communities including Bangladeshi will also showcase a number of events at the same venue. Along with community groups, the students of the Pakistan Education Centre, Bangladesh School, Bhavan’s Public School, Shantiniketan Indian School and TNG will be part of the celebrations in Al Wakrah.

Besides Al Wakrah, expatriate communities from South Asia will perform at Al Khor Sports Club, Al Rayyan Sports Club and West End Park.

The morning programme will include inter-school cultural competitions with group songs and a thematic Qatar show followed by performances by communities. Tug-of-war and racing competitions will be part of the show.

In the afternoon, students will compete in thematic performances, general shows and songs followed by cultural performances by communities.

A football tourney will also be held at Al Wakrah, Rayyan and Al Khor sports clubs between company, community and school teams and a cricket match will be played at the West End Park stadium.

Entry is free for all nationalities. There will be special seating arrangements for families at all venues. Arrangements have also been made for companies to bring their workers to the show.

The Indian and Sri Lankan community groups and school will stage performances at West End Park’s amphitheatre. The schools include Ideal Indian School, Scholars International School, Stafford International School and Pak Shamaa School.

Malaysian, Indonesian and Filipino expatriate groups — including Philippine International School and Philippines School of Doha — will gather at Al Rayyan Sports Club’s Indoor Stadium to showcase cultural and entertainment events. Students of Doha Modern Indian School and Noble International School will also participate here.

Nepalese expatriate groups and members of the Al Khor Residential Community will participate in activities at Al Khor Sports Club. Students of MES Indian School, Bright Future Pakistani School, Birla Public School, DPS-MIS and National KG will stage their activities at Al Khor stadium.