Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
Peshawar:
At the Uptown Sports Arena, the launch event for Junaid Kamran Siddiqui’s new Hindko–Pashto mixed song “Nawazish Butt” faced harsh cold, which affected audience turnout. However, the energetic and vibrant performances by Junaid Kamran Siddiqui and Tamasha winner Saif Ali Khan brought warmth and life to the stage. Both artists expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the people of Peshawar, saying, “Even with low attendance, the enthusiasm and love of those present is our true success.”
Tamasha finalist Maham Mirza also attended the show from Karachi along with fellow contestant Kanwal Farooq and friends. Maham’s presence added attention and charm to the show, while Kanwal, with her lively and cheerful personality, enlivened the event. Both described their experience in Peshawar as delightful, and Kanwal humorously expressed her desire to “become a Khan,” entertaining the audience.
The hosting of the event was handled skillfully by Zaki-ur-Rehman, Saba Amin, and Dr. Hamza Jamshed, who worked to maintain energy and engagement despite the cold and sparse attendance.
Performances were a mix of highs and lows.
Tamasha winner Saif Ali Khan received loud applause for his confident and charismatic performance. In contrast, rapper Meer’s performance fell flat, failing to generate the expected energy. Mimicry artist Faizan performed a Shah Rukh Khan imitation, but it did not leave a significant impact on the audience and was largely ignored. On a positive note, Shahid Malang managed to revive the atmosphere with his traditional bhangra performance, while choreographer Nigah Hussain oversaw stage routines.
From an organizational perspective, challenges were evident. The choice of an open-air venue in severe cold, absence of heaters, and the traditionally delayed start of the show, along with late-arriving audience members, affected the overall flow and energy of the event.
The event was organized by Jam Event Planners, who are actively bringing nationally and internationally renowned artists to Peshawar to promote high-quality entertainment and cultural events in the city.
The song “Nawazish Butt” was created as a tribute to the late Hindko legend Iftikhar Qaisar, who originally performed the song. The new version includes a Pashto touch, making it a Hindko–Pashto mix. Junaid Kamran Siddiqui stated that his vision is to unite different languages and cultures through music to promote peace, love, and harmony.
At the end, Maham Mirza spoke a few sentences in Pashto to thank the people of Peshawar, which was warmly received by the audience and became one of the most memorable moments of the night.
Overall, while there were organizational shortcomings, the performances of Junaid Kamran Siddiqui, Saif Ali Khan, and other artists proved that the warmth of art can always overcome even the coldest weather.
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