NRI voice that enthralled audience

Our Correspondent
Chandigarh, December 8

Gifted with a soulful voice and trained by top musicians, the California-based folk and ghazal singer, Sukhdev Sahil, light up a music concert ‘Sureeli Mohabbat’ at the Randhawa auditorium here today.

He started his performance with a Suafiana kalaam “Rabba mere haal da mehram tu” by Baba Bulleh Shah before turning to romantic composition “Rabb labh de saan ikk chehre chon” and a folk number “Taqqley de bal kadd ley”. He, however, was at his best when he brought alive the lacerated pain and anguish of Shiv Batalvi’s heart in “Ki puchh de o haal faqiran da” as also the emotional expression of legendary Surjit Patar’s song “Balda birkh haan”—- both rendered to perfection.

Sahil too enthralled the audience light numbers such as “Phullan vargi kudiyo…” Being a literary singer, he found satisfaction in singing compositions like ‘ Nadi, jheel, chashma, na darya and ‘Heer Waris’—- the slumbering love legend of undivided Punjab. Musicians Banni Sahota and Roop Kanwal accompanied the artist.

His gayaki bore the influence of his extensive training under his father-guru Dharam Singh Pardesi and gurus Hans Raj Hans and Ustad Puran Shahkoti.

Chief guest Dr Surjit Patar, PAC chairman, complimented Sahil for promoting the Punjabi musical traditions in the West. Author Ninder Ghugianvi anchored the concert.