LG ABS EPISODE 53 - 1st SEMI FINAL

‘Deep Jale Surr Ke Sagar Main, Jab Main Geet Sunaoon’ kind of sums it up for a voice, this generation would be telling their grand kids about, with a certain fervor in their eyes. The name ‘Mehdi Hassan’ has already attained the attribute ‘Legend’ attached to it while he’s still breathing amongst us mortals. Jibran believes he has what it takes to take on Mehadi Hasan, he sings ‘Lagi Re’. Pitching the right notes with precise accuracy was what the song asked for. Jibran tried doing justice to this seemingly nicely flowing song but in true sense a difficult track. Trying to sing a Mehdi Hasan song comes with its own set of merits & demerits and Jibran was no exception to this rule. Jibran mustered an average performance but still gathered a mixed reaction from the judges. Carrot & stick!

Next up is Aima. She sings ‘Mere Dholna Sunn’ from the film ‘Bhool Bhulaiyya’. ‘Devdas’ famed, Sameer did the lyrics for this song. Aima in her trademark style started the song strongly. A few minor hiccups as she reaches mid way through. She manages to execute the Sargam in the middle of the song in a powerful manner and with that came the applause of the audience. Nizar Lalani was seen shaking his head a few times during the song, was he appreciating the song or he was just not happy with Aima not hitting the right notes, remained a mystery. The audience though as always seemed to be enjoying the song. In the end Aima fell short of expectations of the judges as they asked her to practice more and come back stronger in the next round.

Next up is Sajid. Sajid decides to sing the song ‘Aik Pyaar Ka Naghma Hay’ from 1972 Bollywood film ‘Shor’. Music done by an ever experimenting South Asian music maestro ‘Lakshmikant Pyarelal’. The song set records when it was released in early seventies. A soft track ideally suited to Sajid’s mellow voice. Sajid though made a mess of the song as soon as he exercised his vocal chords to begin the song. It was absolutely obvious right from the off set that Sajid was trying to bring in that bass that was required for the song and he was failing miserably. He carried the same approach right throughout the song. Trying to be someone else’s voice cost Sajid. The judges weren’t happy at all. Hadiqa specially mentioned that Sajid shouldn’t try copying others and should stick to his own style. Nizar Lalani said ‘Maza Nahin Aaya!’

Next one to take the stage is ‘Alycia’. Alycia sings the song ‘Aisa Lagta Hay’ from ‘Abhishek Bachchan’s’ debut film; ‘Refugee’. A sentimental track meant ‘Alycia’ won’t have to put in a lot of effort to pull it off as she has that voice which suits it. Alycia manages the track well in the beginning but started to struggle in the middle and never recovered from that point on. Hadiqa mentioned that she has a western touch to her voice and she should stick to it, work more on that and find her own niche and try to excel in it. Salamat Ali Khan Saab joined the wagon by criticizing Alycia for choosing this song. All in all it wasn’t Alycia’s day.

Next one to walk up to the stage was Zain. Donning a traditional ‘Kurta’, wearing a shawl, Zain takes a confident walk up on to the ramp. Zain has expressions on his face contrary to his usual appearance, normally he’s a happy face bunny but tonight there’s something in his eyes. The prelude hits the amps, sounds like a slow song, a few seconds into it Zain starts a magnificent alaap and the audience and judges readjust themselves in their seats and brace themselves for what was about to take place. As Zain starts the song it’s a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan composition ‘Sanwre’ for the film ‘Bandit Queen’. A haunting track that slowly creeps up on you and drags you within. Zain’s sound box was producing combinations of sounds that played a lingering effect on audiences’ and judges’ neurons. Zain came up with an immaculate performance that made the audiences clap many a times during the song. There was a standing ovation when Zain finished the song. Hadiqa repeated what she said earlier that you should stick to your own niche of music and improve on it. Salamat Ali Khan Saab said daring to sing this song live is in itself a big task and managing to pull of a performance at this caliber deserves to be appreciated. Nizar Lalani didn’t beat about the bush and summed it up in one sentence: ‘Zain! Tum Gayak Ho!’

Next up is Muqaddas. If there’s one person who can put up a fight with Zain’s vocal talents it’s got to be Muqaddas. Muqaddas takes the ramp in his usual calm and confident manner. He’s singing ‘Pyaar Nahin Hay Surr Se Jisko’ a semi classical track sung by the man who knew his music inside out, Ustaad Amanat Ali Khan Saab. Muqaddas starts the song off in pretty much the same manner as Zain did, with a well executed alaap to warm up the audience to a musical treat he was about to serve them with. Muqaddas keeps a strong grip on the song throughout his performance, executing a sargam in the middle as well. Audience loved the performance too and showed their appreciation through putting their hands together for him. At the end of his performance Muqaddas received a positive feedback from the judges. Nizar Lalani appreciated the effort and said the song was a tough choice but Muqaddas did well. Both Hadiqa & Salamat saab appreciated Muqaddas’ effort too.