|
Concert Review> Atif Aslam @ Queens Colden Center, NY: A Pakistani Heartthrob for All Ages
BY: MTV Iggy
Atif Aslam is a raging sensation in the
subcontinent, especially among young women. He is the Pakistani version
of Enrique, if you will. Or better yet, a 27 year old Justin Bieber (in
terms of fan hysteria) with a voice to die for. With 3 albums to his
name (Jal Pari, Doorie, Meri Kahani), and his singing talents on blockbuster Bollywood musicals like Kalyug and Race
to name a few, Atif is the current face of the desi music industry. He
has already conquered Pakistan and is fast emerging as the go-to man
for Bollywood film producers.
Atif Aslam live in concert on July 2, 2010. Photo: A.R.Rowe Atif is the kind of artist that would be hard
to categorize in a set genre. He’s a hybrid rock/pop star and then
some. His music is mostly about love and that one elusive (also lucky)
girl. The tracks that propelled him to stardom, "Aadat” and "Bheegi
Yaadein,” are cult classics, a definite mainstay on ANY desi’s ipod
list. His voice throbs and soars over a multi-octave span, hitting
highs and lows with heart-tugging perfection. You just have to give him
a listen if you haven’t already.
So when a demigod like Atif tours the States,
it’s big news for all the female desis out there. They were sure to
turn up in droves for his July 1 show. How could I not go?
The venue, Colden Center, is a theater
auditorium in Queens College. Seating just over 2oo0 people and looking
a bit like the place you staged "Romeo and Juliet” or "Hair” if you
were a drama club kid who went to a very large high school, it’s a bit
cozier than the giant arenas Atif usually performs in.
By 8:30 pm, right on time, the show opened
with the up-and-coming performer Jankee Parekh even though the theater
was only two thirds full and people were still trickling in. Jankee
began crooning popular Bollywood numbers and the crowd immediately took
a liking to her, cheering along to every song. She did a short set of
six song and the last, "Jai Ho,” brought on enthusiastic applause.
The audience was primed, the venue was at near
full capacity, and repeated chants of "Atif! Atif!” echoed through the
hall. Teenage girls were in the majority, but families out for a night
took up the rest of the space. And by families, I mean the complete
deal — there was one extended clan taking up 25+ seats at the back!
Atif appeared onstage a short 10 minutes after
Jankee’s performance. Rumor is that he’s a nervous performer, but
evidently all inhibitions were put aside because he nonchalantly
strolled out, singing the fan fave "Ankhon Se.” You could sense the
change in atmosphere immediately. An electric charge rippled over the
auditorium and girls began screaming their lungs out and tripping over
each other to get a better view.
I can see how Atif brings forth such awe from
his female fans. Besides his amazing voice, his mannerisms give him a
certain lover boy image. He comes across as a shy and reserved person,
lacking much dynamism or energy. But he has a quietly glittering
charisma, that X-factor that seems to melt any girl in seconds. As he
sat on a stool with his guitar, singing love ballads, he reminded me of
a medieval troubadour serenading love-struck damsels. His every move,
even just stretching an arm out, seemed to be considered madly ***y and
gave rise to shrieks of ecstasy. The billowing smoke machine behind him
probably helped a lot too.
Atif Aslam live in concert on July 2, 2010. Photo: A.R.Rowe But not all were quite as enthralled. I heard
a guy in his late 20s behind me yawn, "I feel like sleeping…Such a busy
week and this isn’t helping.” On my right, aunty-jis silently observed
the show, while on my left, a couple gossiped about their neighbor’s
new job. The show clearly catered to a specific demographic. At one
point, it vaguely reminded me of those high school cultural events
where parents come along and indulgently sit in the back while their
kids enjoy the show.
After the first how, however, Atif picked up
the pace. When he sang "Pehli Nazar Mein,” a popular track from a
Bollywood film, everyone leaped to their feet, the energy levels rose,
and even the aunties in front rows crowded around the stage. His
audience banter was limited, but he got huge cheers when he started off
a number by saying, "Pakistan, this is for you.”
Atif Aslam live in concert on July 2, 2010. Photo: A.R.Rowe As the popular hits began coming thick and
fast, so did the audience members crowded around the stage. This didn’t
go down so well with venue security. Few people were still in their
seats and the teenage girls were going nuts. The crowd had to be
controlled pronto. Security got up on stage and threatened to shut it
down until the organizers asked people to return to their seats. A guy
next to me commented, "That there is a Desi show for you.”
I wondered how Atif would recover from the
disruption, but he was remarkably unfazed. (So much for rumors about
his nerves!) He brought the house down immediately with "Tere Bin,” his
first Bollywood track and a personal favorite of mine. He seemed more
energized than ever, and the crowd loved it. Atif wrapped the show by
11:30, ending it on a high note with "Mahi Ve” from the 2003
blockbuster film Kal Ho Naa Ho.
The parents were pleased. The girls had the time of their lives. It was Atif Atif all the way.
– Siddharth Ganji
Check out MTV Iggy’s slideshow for more photos of Atif Aslam, live in concert on July 2, 2010
Atif Aslam live in concert on July 2, 2010. Photo: A.R.Rowe 
Atif Aslam live in concert on July 2, 2010. Photo: A.R.Rowe | 
