Sonu Nigam to collaborate with Siddiqi for International Tours ....

HOUSTON: Storied, award-winning ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas performed to capacity crowds at two concerts in this city on April 7 and April 12 at the New Stafford Center on Cash Road. The world-renowned vocalist proved that he was still on top of his game as he held fans enthralled with his melodious voice, with many enthusiastically singing along with the maestro as he rendered his repertoire of hits that included Chitti aayi hai, Chandi jaisa rang, Ghunguroo toot gaye, Sharab cheez hi ayse hai, and App jinke qareeb hote hai. Brought to Houston by young impresario Rehan Siddiqi, the first concert was a sold-out show, with fans demanding for an encore presentation. Siddiqi complied and arranged with the international promoter of Udhas’s World Tour 2012, Mayur Ganger, for the musician to perform here again. Both shows drew record audiences and the attention of Udhas who praised and thanked Siddiqi lavishly and lauded him for his creativity, hard work, and professionalism. While in this city, Udhas also made appearances at Bombay Sweets and Maharani Music Store on Hillcroft and Harwin to meet with fans, untiringly signing autographs and posing for pictures with each and everyone that requested. He, along with his entourage, also dined at Shahnaz Irani’s Nizam’s Kitchen after the first concert. Set against a backdrop designed meticulously by DB Event Planners, the concert started (almost) on time. Warm and personable, Udhas easily established a rapport with the audience. He has won the respect of his peers for helping make ghazals du jour at a time when it was losing its foothold to westernized Indian music. Udhas’s odyssey to success started at the tender age of five when he realized his ability to sing. But it was only after his first stage performance when he sang Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon and won a prize of Rs. 51 that he made a firm decision to take up music professionally. He began studying Hindustani classical music and then decided to break into the film industry. Once Pankaj heard his brother Manhar’s Urdu teacher listen to Mehdi Hassan and Begum Akhtar. So much was he attracted to this form of music that he went on to learn Urdu to be able to grasp the nuances of ghazals. And the rest, as they would say, is history. Siddiqi has successfully promoted and hosted big name stars such as Sonu Nigam, Atif Aslam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukwinder Singh, Anu Malik, and Ali Zafar. He has brought Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to this city on trip concert tours on three occasions and drew over 8,000 attendees at the Reliant Arena in 2011. Siddiqi also runs the largest desi radio network in this city called HumTum Radio 24/7 on 1480AM. He also broadcasts simultaneously on 1110AM Saturdays and Sundays. “Promoting good music through great artistes is truly a blessing,” said Siddiqi. “With the right ambiance, quality sound and light, they are bound to put forward inspired performances. To me, that it the only way to show due respect to the artiste and the audience,” he added. Riding on the successes of Pankaj Udhas’s record-breaking concerts, Siddiqi announced upcoming performances by Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam, Sabri Brothers and Amanat Ali in weeks and months to come. He is also planning a major international tour in 2013 with Bollywood celebrities. Over 25 corporate companies were instrumental in supporting Siddiqi’s endeavor. His able team professionally managed logistics such as behind-the-scenes hospitality and security.  Technical Director of Hum Tum Shows Arif Memon and Hum Tum Show’s Director of Operations Carlos Carmona ironed out any possible kinks and the show ran smoothly. Participating restaurants included Nizam’s Kitchen and Durrani’s Restaurant.