Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Saturday termed Adnan Sami as a great musician and singer. The minister made this comment while going to attend the musical gala of Sami, who performed for the people of the Kashmir Valley in Srinagar on Saturday.
Singer Adnan Sami dished out a medley hit of his songs to a mesmerised audience on the shores of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. The Pakistan-born singer said he was blown away by the natural beauty of Kashmir.
Sami, who performed in front of a select audience at the SKICC lawns, started off with his famous number "Mai Sirf Tera Mehboob".
"Today I have come to realise that there is hell; because today I have seen heaven (Kashmir)," the singer said to thunderous applause from the crowd.
Sharing anecdotes from his life in between songs, Sami said he has a very deep connection with Jammu and Kashmir. "Not only because my mother is from Jammu but I learned Hindustani classical from santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who hails from Jammu as well".
"It was because of him that I could show the world that Hindustani classical can be played on piano as well," he added.
The concert was organised by the tourism department to a boost to tourist footfall in the state.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, several ministers of the Jammu and Kashmir government, and senior civil administration and police officials attended the concert.
Speaking to ANI, Rijju said that, ‘He’s a great musician, great composer, and great singer.’ The minister said it was good that Sami voluntarily agreed to perform at 'Rhythm in Paradise' concert.
Earlier, the Pakistani-origin singer said that music had always helped to bridge ties between countries, especially when it comes to India and Pakistan.
Renowned conductor Zubin Mehta had performed at the Shalimar Mughal Gardens in September 2013, the last major musical event in the valley.
