From the April 2005 concert that I attended at the Dubai Country Club to February 2015, I have come to a conclusion that the only thing that survives in an ever changing world is Fuzon’s timeless music.
Fuzon’s concert at the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF), at Beach Luxury Hotel was not just a surprise treat but the highlight of an amazingly well organised festival as well.
Ever since I had grown up and moved on, to be honest, I had not heard their songs in a very long time indeed and yesterday’s performance took me back to the days when they launched their first album.. ages back.
Shalum and Immu can still captivate their audience while the lead singer Khurram was perfect with the raag, the sur, the lyrics of the songs and also managed to balance these key ‘ingredients’ with a ‘pop’ music’ element. All in all, the trio make for an enthralling powerhouse indeed.
The concert started with what they called a “gift” track for the audience.
“Nazr mein rehte ho” There couldn’t be a better homage to what has arguably become Karachi’s premier literature festival, a festival that has opened doors to quite a few authors and attendees from across the eastern border and is doing its own small bit at curtailing the animosity between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
In fact, Fuzon said they were working on an album in collaboration with ‘Indus Raag’, which would pay a tribute to the Folk and Classic legends of Pakistan.
Keeping this theme in mind they began with a spellbinding tribute to Ustad Mehdi Hassan with his soulful ghazal “Gulon mein Rang Bharay”.
Next was a rocking single “Mein Karachi” which is an OST (original sound track) of the “I Am Karachi” campaign. This one had all the Karachi youth, present at the Main Garden leaping on their feet.
Being what they are best at, i.e creating the synthesis between classic and contemporary music the next performance was a truly mesmerizing Kafi of Shafqat Ali Khan ‘Sanwal Mor Moharan’.
This was followed by their own song “Neend na aai” from their second album. Continuing with their trade mark mellow romantic tempo they then performed Tere bina jiya nahin jai. This song took me back to their last concert I had attended almost 10 years ago. These musicians, like their songs haven’t aged. The live performance was just as perfect as the studio performance, not a beat missed… nor a Sur skipped.
Carrying on with the tribute they performed “Keh de na” by Alamgir and fused that with Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Tu mera dil”. Which again left the audience spell bound.
The crowd was then treated to their most popular song ever, in fact the face of Fuzon. “Ankhon ke Saagar”. In the eyes of my mind, I had the video of this song, however I was absolutely bowled when Khurram ended the song exactly like the studio version on their cassette”….Sagar”
Immu then announced that the next song is for all the beautiful people sitting out there. I, sitting merely 4 feet away from the stage couldn’t help but blush. What came next left me teary eyed. It was the beautiful “Khamaj”. The lighting went a lovely shade of just blue adding to the whole effect of the song. I couldn’t help but make a self-confession, Fuzon just gave us a Valentine treat a week early!
The finale of the concert was their song “Deewaney”. Like all the songs before, this too flashed the video in front of my eyes. My mind drifted to Urmilla and Resham, and I found myself wondering how are they doing with their respective lives today.
This concert took me back to the glory days of the Pakistani music industry.
Fuzon hasn’t aged nor worn out. I knew and sang along the lyrics of all the songs they performed which caught me off guard too, because I don’t recall being an ardent Fuzon fan. It’s because every song is a complete package. The enticing lyrics, the music both melodious and soothing, the videos so tasteful, live and well synchronized stage performance along with extremely humble band members. If it wasn’t for tonight I wouldn’t have realized that Fuzon has grown into me. I wish they stay like this forever, if not actually get better.
However I do envy all of them for their lovely long manes, If only I had the courage to ask what do they use for their locks…
Excellent review Saadia. Good to find out that the band is still going.
Gulon mein rabg bharay would've sounded amazing.
I had blocked myself out of them after Shafqat Amanat Ali left, but they found an excellent replacement who lives up to par!