Beginning on a classical note, Shafqat, the voice behind popular Bollywood numbers "Mitwa" from "Kabhi Alvida ne Kehna" and "Yeh Honsla" from "Dor", quickly warmed his way into the hearts of the audience gathered on the lawns of the High Commission on Friday evening.
One of his early songs at the concert, Shafqat sang a couple of lines from his single "Aankhon ka sagar", walked down from the stage and thrust his microphone to the first person sitting there who finished the rest of the stanza.
One by one several onlookers took the microphone and sang with the Pakistani singer who was weaving his way through the seated rows of audience.
"You sing so well, Do you have a boyfriend?" said the singer to another elderly lady who sang in tune to the number "Ab Jaane ka jid na karo"
At one point of time a singing Shafqat was in the middle of the audience surrounded by a group of eager fans huddling to click photographs or a video with him.
Earlier, in her introduction, Taranum Bashir wife of Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir, said, "We dedicate this evening to the poet philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and the concept of universal brotherhood." November 9, marks the 135th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal
"Shafqat belongs to the Patiala gharana and is the son of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and brother of Asad Amanat Ali Khan who have made indelible contributions to the classical and ghazal traditions of music.
More From This Section
"They have spread the message of love and humanity. Shafqat Amanant Ali Khan represents the shining spirit of Iqbal we are delighted to have him here," she said greeting the audience on the occasion of Diwali.
"My name is Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and I am not a terrorist," joked the singer before launching into the "Tere Naina" song the Shah Rukh Khan starrer 2010 Bollywood flick "My name is Khan".
Acknowledging the crowds applause Shafqat said "Gracias" moving on to the next song. Before his rendition of "Aye mere pyare vatan" Shafqat said" I don't know who in the audience is from India and who is from Pakistan. It is so difficult make out .. God willing let it be like that in the future too."
The concert organised by NGO Routes 2 Roots went on way past 11 pm with Shafqat crooning "Bin tere" and a thumri "Mora Piya" among others.