KATHMANDU: Delhi-based sufi singer Rameeza Akhtar attempted to soothe the audience with her sufi numbers during an event Roohdariya held at Nepal Academy hall, Kamaladi on December 18.

She put forth her performance — a fusion of rock and contemporary music — accompanied by the members of her group Jivesh Singh (guitar), Tarit Pal (percussion), Ghulam Mogammad (sarangi), Tonish Kumar (keyboard and piano), Shabaab Khan (tabala), and Anuragh Pandey (bass guitar).

Starting the show with Hamri Beeti, Akhtar tried to grab the audience’s attention with this tragic music. Then the group put forth a fusion of a Kaise Kate Din and Ye Mohabatein. It was a fusion of semi-classical Indian music thumri and ghazal.

Another song titled Lord Pashupatinath with fast beats was praiseworthy. “I have dedicated this song to Lord Pashupatinath. We went there yesterday,” shared Akhtar, about her visit to the temple here.

However, it was Singh’s astounding fusion music of guitar — a blend of classic, rock, and contemporary music that stole the audience’s heart. When Singh sang Tum Ho Jindagi, he was able to bring back the memories of one’s beloved. Dama Dam Mast Kalandar was there to make the audience sway to its beats.

The vocal range of Akhtar and Singh — drastic shift from a high pitch to low — was impressive indeed. A classical duet with a fusion of the rock was more appealing than the other sufi songs performed. And the fusion of Singh’s guitar and Khan’s tabala was a retreat to the ears. Akhtar, sharing her experiences expressed, “It was a beautiful moment to perform here in Nepal. It is one of the great moments to be here with such music lovers.”

Indian Culture Centre, Embassy of India in association with BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation and South Asia Foundation organised the event.