Pakistani heartthrob and Pop Singer , Ali Zafar had the entire audience at the Berklee Performance Center  rocking to the tune of his music as he performed to a sold out crowd on Sunday Nov 8, 2009.  The 29-year-old singer has ventured to the United States only twice before. With his latest tour Zafar hopes to win over new fans with an East-meets-West brew that fuses traditional Punjabi folk melodies and Pakistani classical influences with electric guitars and drum machines. The program was presented under the auspices of the Pakistan Association of Greater Boston(PAGB). PAGB President Muneeza Nasrullah, worked tirelessly to make this a grand success.

Growing up the son of two college professors in Lahore, Zafar was exposed to a diverse array of art forms spanning literature, painting, and music. He has degree in painting from the National College of Art. Blessed with a photogenic face and a handsome countenance , he caught the eye of the modelling industry.  But with the release of his fist album Huqa Pani this talented singer transformed into a national icon in Pakistan selling over five million records.

During his concert he sang many of his own hit singles including Channo, Rangeen and of course his mega hit, Huqa Pani. There was never a dull moment in his entire concert. His charismatic personality mesmerized the entire theater. He sang classic bollywood hits including  Roop Tera Mastana, Neele Neele Ambar par and others.

In this days when the only news from Pakistan is rather negative and the US looking viewing Pakistan as a terrorist stronghold, watching such beautiful music from a Pakistani singer was indeed wonderful. When he sang Dil Dil Pakistan, the popular patriotic Pakistani number that had made it to the top of the World Music Charts,  his love for his country shone through and the Pakistanis in the audience felt the encouragement and passion and sang along.

Being one of the few Indians who attended the show I came back convinced that if art rather than guns could speak there would hardly  be a difference between Indians and Pakistanis. We dance to the same tunes and the same passions stir our hearts.  Unfortunately battle lines are drawn and peace and understanding do seem almost impossible.

The concert was delightful and we hope we get to see more such fine concerts in Boston.

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