So finally Gala round is here & the real competition has begun. I would’ve liked it a bit more if it didn’t start off with the performance that we saw. I wish being the actual singers – only Ali Azmat & Hadiqa Kiyani had performed but what I saw was something I wish I hadn’t.
It’s a known fact that artists once in their career do come up to a particular point where in sheer frustration or to prove a certain point they make wrong choices, I think this is exactly what Bushra Ansari’s been facing. I don’t know why she found this urge in her to re-establish herself as a playful teenaged singer which looks anything but decent. I also believe she should go easy on the acting she does while listening to the performances of the contestants because I feel she focuses more on lip syncing rather than judging the technicalities with intricacy. Go easy Bushra Aunty, it would suit you a lot. :)
Even though this was the very first Gala round & almost all the performances were good but in my personal opinion none of the contestants made a mark or raised the bar high. I know all of them must be nervous because from now on for the first time they have started to compete for the title of Pakistan Idol but I didn’t find any performance that touched me except a few. So, this week’s theme was sort of a tribute to all the classic songs that were a part of olden golden Pakistani films, songs choices were brilliant & we got to hear some real ethnic songs.
The commentary on all the contestants who performed is as follows:
Rosemary (RM) of Karachi sang Noor Jahan’s ‘Chandni Raatain’. She was good as usual but I feel she could’ve done better. Nevertheless I am sure she will be safe & through to the next round. Bushra Ansari liked her performance but pointed out once again that she was running out of breath, Ali Azmat appreciated her performance saying he couldn’t pick any mistake. Hadiqa Kiyani’s comment was perfect saying that no contestant should be compared with the actual singer who sang that song because none of those singers can be reborn so all the contestants should be judged based on their own capability, for which I agree with her completely.
Shahmir Aziz Quidwai (SQ) of Islamabad sang Ahmed Rushdi’s ‘Jaisay Jantay Nahi’. I don’t know why he calls himself a rock artist because he sounds too soft to be a rock singer. One of the main reasons for why I say that is because his voice can never overlap the music whereas the only main asset of a rock singer is the power, the throw & the loudness in a voice but the song which he attempted today was exactly what matched his vocal tone, so he should explore more genre’s that match his voice tone. Bushra Ansari & Ali Azmat appreciated him but Hadiqa Kiyani said she couldn’t enjoy his singing as he committed clear mistakes on the notes.
Waqas Ali (WA) of Rawalpindi sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Mere Dil Se Zindagi Bhar’. Just when I thought to myself that he sounded so mature as a singer, the next thing I heard Hadiqa Kiyani say was more or less the same. According to her he sang it just like a professional singer. Ali Azmat thought he was faking his voice but Bushra Ansari said she enjoyed his singing a lot.
Ali Asad Zaidi (AZ) of Karachi sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Dunya Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein’. I think he needs to open up a bit, it looks like he holds back a lot while singing & doesn’t open up his mouth to project the words with clarity. He clearly had some issues in low notes & Bushra Ansari mentioned it as well. Hadiqa Kiyani said she found certain mistakes in his high notes as well. But luckily for him, he already has a strong fan base & for that I am sure he will be safe too & he should be because he is a great singer, it just wasn’t one of his days.
Mohammad Shoaib (MS) of Peshawar sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi’. It has to be one of the most difficult songs that were attempted in this round & he always makes such choices. He sounded so peaceful & soothing but the judges thought the opposite. Hadiqa Kiyani’s comment didn’t make any sense because she said his approach towards the song was shallow & both Ali Azmat & Bushra Ansari felt that he lacked the feel & expression, which didn’t sound like it anyways but I hope he gets the votes & is safe too.
Mehwish Maqsood (MM) of Lahore sang Noor Jahan’s ‘Banwari Chakori’. I wasn’t too impressed by this performance I don’t know why but she sounded like she had a sore throat. Bushra Ansari pointed out that she ran out of breath but Ali Azmat liked her performance, Hadiqa Kiyani was once again honest & said she sounded too forceful & harsh. Hadiya Kiyani also mentioned something important that the lyrics should be given special consideration & should be projected with clarity.
Zamad Baig (ZB) of Mandi Bahauddin sang Ahmed Rushdi’s ‘Keeya Hai Jo Pyaar To’. He was as usual flawless & confident. The best thing about his performance is that he sings with such an ease that he makes it a joy to listent to. All the judges appreciated him & Hadiqa Kiyani commended him on the rawness & husk of his voice which differentiates him from rest of the contestants. He no doubt is the most in-form singer of the lot.
Waqas Ali Vicky (WV) of Miyan Channu sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Abb Ke Hum Bichre’. I think he clearly had some issues in the lower notes which was quite audible but none of the judges picked out any of his mistakes & all of them liked his performance a lot. I hope he gets a lot of votes because no doubt he has a very soothing voice too & is one of my favorites.
Abdul Rafay Khan (RK) of Karachi sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Pyaar Bharay Do Sharmeelay Nain’. He was great but the judges pointed out quite a few mistakes. Hadiqa Kiyani wasn’t impressed at all & said he lost control of his notes many times. Ali Azmat agreed as well but also said that his singing had a certain feel to it. I liked his performance as well.
Syed Sajid Abbas (SA) of Karachi sang Ahmed Rushdi’s ‘Socha Tha Pyaar Na Karainge’. He was effortless & it was a very very sweet performance from him. All the judges loved it Bushra Ansari said she enjoyed it, Ali Azmat did pick a little mistake but said he enjoyed the performance over all. Hadiqa Kiyani was all praises for him as well.
Asad Raza Sonu (RS) of Lahore sang Mehdi Hassan’s ‘Jab Koi Pyaar Se’. He was good though but I don’t know I felt he was just good & nothing extra ordinary. Judges liked his performance a lot & Hadiqa Kiyani said he puts a certain feel to his song & portrays the emotions right. Ali Azmat & Bushra Ansari also praised him saying he justified the song.
Sana Zulfikaar (SZ) of Lahore sang Noor Jahan’s ‘Sada Ho Apne Pyaar Ki’. I thought she did sing well but without any emotion & she sang it in a hurry. The thing I love about Hadiya Kiyani is that no matter how much she likes a contestant, she would never sugar coat whenever she’d pointing out their mistakes. Hadiqa felt that she sounded too forceful & not at all smooth whereas Ali Azmat & Bushra Ansari liked her performance.
Kashif Ali (KA) of Lahore who was selected as a Wild Card Contestant sang Masood Rana’s ‘Bhool Jana Gham Dunya De’. What a brilliant performance once again I must say. Hadiqa Kiyani was as usual overwhelmed because of his singing & all the three judges praised him which he totally deserved. So, finally the moment that we all waited for was here & Kashif Ali made it as a 13th contestant. I hope we see him the top 3 because he certainly is a brilliant singer.
So, this was it from the very first Gala round. I liked the performances of Syed Sajjid Abbas, Waqas Ali Vicky, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Shoaib, Waqas Ali & Abdul Rafay Khan the most. Once again it would be a tough decision to make & let’s see who doesn’t make it through. Who did you like the most, which ones were your favorite performances & who are you voting for? Do share with us. :)
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.