By Mir Mohsin Ali RIYADH — Renowned Ghazal and Bollywood singer Mohammed Vakil enthralled the audience in outskirts of the city during a live ghazals and songs night with powerful rendition of both genres. Vakil’s mesmerizing performance left everybody spellbound as he rendered classical ghazals with aplomb and belted evergreen Bollywood numbers to switch the tempo and keep the audience tuned to the music. Vakil stole the show with his popular Qawwali from the Veer Zara “Aaya tere dwar par deewana”. A large number of Asian community attended the event, which was organized by the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) Riyadh chapter. President Syed Mohammed Mutayyab welcomed VAkil with a bouquet. Prominent personalities from Riyadh, Mairaj Mohammed Khan, principal DPS, Syed Mohammed Mutayyab, Humayun Hashmi, Vice President, Ghazanfar Ali Khan jointly inaugurated the ghazal evening by lighting the candle. Mohammed Abul Farah, general secretary, AMUOBA welcomed the gathering and introduced Mohammed Vakil. This event was attended by Dr. Dilnawaz Romi, AGM at ANB Shahid Siddqui and Mairaj Mohammed. Vakil started with a traditional Naatiya Kalam “Taj dare Haram” then he presented one after another hit ghazals of Jagjit Singh, Farida Khanum, his own popular ghazals and some old melodies of Mohammed Rafi along with an Indian classical composition of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan from Mughal E Azam He also entertained requests and one of them was the folk song of Rajasthan “Keseriya Balam aavo ni padharo mhare desh”. Vakil comes from the well-known musical family of Jaipur, India. Vakil is formally trained in music by the revered ghazal singer duo Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain who also happen to be his maternal uncles. His detailed biography can be read at his official website, which is created and maintained by Dr. Sayeed Mohiuddin, a great admirer of Vakil and a popular personality of Riyadh. Vakil said, during a formal chat with Saudi Gazette, that there is no substitute for hard work, adding, “I was fortunate enough to be born in a family of distinguished musicians. However, being born into such environment is not enough, and music is not inherited, for one must make the effort to learn music formally and work hard to sustain oneself as a musician.” Humayun Hashmi, vice president, proposed vote of thanks. Next day NRI Forum Riyadh felicitated Mohammed Vakil at Turkish Assaraya Restaurant, an on this occasion a memorable plaque of appreciation was awarded to him by Dr. Sayeed Mohiuddin, president. Nooruddin Jhangeer, general secretary, Shakeel Mah, treasurer, Arshad Qazi, executive member, Abdul Khadeer Khalifa, executive member, guests and well wishers of NRIF Pervez Rahman and Mir Mohsin Ali were also present.