Ismail Durbar and Altaf Raza regales audience in Patna

Patna, Dec 30 (UNI) The city swayed to the spellbinding performances of two star artists - Ismail Durbar and Altaf Raza - in their maiden visits to the city last night.

Promising ''Shopping Bhi Masti Bhi'', the first International expo Patna, 2007-08, opened here at the historic Gandhi Maidan amidst high public expectations with noted Bollywood music director Ismail Durbar, stealing the show with his presentation of some of his favourite numbers from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'' and ''Kisna'' title tracks, during the musical night.

He also promoted a local Bhojpuri artist and a city boy to come on the stage and entertained the audience.

However, Mr Durbar was a little critical of the way reality shows were being conducted and the performers allegedly being cheated in the successive shows. He also gave indications of starting his own talent hunt shows, which, he claimed, would do justice to the performers.

Talking to mediapersons, Mr Durbar said, ''Reality shows, which are quite popular on TV channels these days, should not be used for business purposes, rather they should provide an opportunity to upcoming singers.'' In another live performance in the city, Altaf Raza, the renowned qawwali singer of ''Tum to thahre pardesi'', graced the occasion at the Patliputra Trade Fair here, in Miller High School.

His popular numbers, including ''Awaara hawa ka jhonka hoon'', Yaron maine panga le liya'' and ''Kar le pyar'', created a rage among the audience.

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