Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 7: In order to boost tourism in Kashmir, Bollywood singer and musician Adnan Sami today enthralled fans at a concert here this evening on the banks of Dal lake.
The Pakistani-origin artist, who is now Indian citizen, confessed that he was blown away by the beauty of Kashmir.
Sharing anecdotes from his life in between songs, Sami said he has a very deep connection with Jammu and Kashmir as his mother is from Jammu and he has learnt classic music from santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who is also from Jammu.
“Not only because my mother is from Jammu but I learned Hindustani classical from santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who hails from Jammu as well. It was because of him I could show the world that Hindustani classical can be played on piano as well,” he added.
Sami who performed in front of a select audience at SKICC lawns started off with his famous number “Mai Sirf Tera Mehboob Tu Meri Mehbooba”.
The singer said God has made Kashmir with a lot of time at hands. “Today I have seen the heaven (Kashmir),” he said to a thunderous applause from the crowd.
Sami praised Kashmir for its beauty and hospitality. “Only those can visit this place who are called…. You called and I came here. I am willing to spend the entire night here. This place is so blessed that even the mosquitos here are fair, ” he said drawing laughter from the audience.
The singer said that this is for the second time that he has come to Kashmir. Earlier, he came here and shot a song for Bollywood movie Bajrangi Baijan at Aishmuqam Sufi Shrine in Anantnag.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, several ministers of State Government, senior civil administration and Police officials attended the concert where entry was only by invitation.
This is for the first time a musical concert was organized in Kashmir after 2013. Renowned conductor Zubin Mehta performed at Shalimar Mughal Gardens in September 2013.
The concert was organised jointly by Union Home Ministry, State Government and Tourism department to give a boost to tourism in the State.
Businesses in the Kashmir valley, particularly tourism-related activities, have seen a slump since last year when the State was rocked by street violence following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.
The number of tourists visiting the Valley has seen a sharp dip this year. The Valley has witnessed the lowest arrival of tourists in the last three decades from July 2016 to September 2017.
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