Gig review/ Alif



BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Alif // Char-su

Genre: Kashmiri/ Urdu rock

Details: NMACC Studio. November 20

Rating: ****

I had seen Kashmiri singer-songwriter Alif at the Mahindra Roots Festival at the Bandra Amphitheatre in Mumbai in early 2023. That was a compact set, and I was hearing him the first time.

As such, his performance at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) Studio on Thursday November 20 was more elaborate and gave him a chance to present the range of his repertoire. Titled Alif // Char-su, it was divided into four segments - Charsuu, Arzuu, Rafuu and Lahuu. As such, it was a thematic show.

Alif sings in Urdu, Hindi and his native Kashmiri, using a lot of poetry that he's penned himself. The live set had a more rock-oriented approach compared to his studio recordings, with Tanmay Pawar on electric guitar, Aditya Bhandakkar on keys, Nikhil Nair on bass and Karan Chitra Deshmukh on drums, ghatam, rap and vocal harmonies.

For two hours, Alif displayed marvellous expression in his vocals, hitting the higher notes smoothly. At times he explained the songs, as he did on 'Ab Mujhe Ishq Karna Aata Hai' and the Coke Studio hit 'Kya Karle Korimol', after asking the audience how they interpreted the song. The tunes 'Ride Home', 'Jhelumus' and 'Malaal Kya Hua' were marked by soulful singing, and 'Aladdin' had a frothy flavour. 'Like A Sufi', originally recorded with MC Kash, 'Katyu Chaku', from the Laila Majnu soundtrack, and the Kashmiri 'Hosh Ha' were the other highlights.

Though a large section of the audience might not have understood the Kashmiri songs, or even the very chaste Urdu words, the presentation and the arrangements kept them mvolved. Many people seemed to know the songs, which was a heartening sign. Alif himself was very interactive, displaying a spontaneous sense of humour.

Among the other musicians, Karan seemed to enjoy his multiple roles. Keyboardist Aditya and bassist Nikhil were tight, though one wished the latter had one solo part for a better balance. As for Tanmay, he played one of the most brilliant guitar solos heard in a long time - three minutes of sheer bliss where he and the drummer transported listeners back to vintage Pink Floyd.

The venue had a unique set, with four mirrors placed in different corners, apparently intended to make the audience see themselves. One wonders how many people were distracted by them, as the main stage had enough action and energy to prevent any distraction.




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