Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Singer Zaheer Abbas Khan returns with a live performance for a good cause

Singer Zaheer Abbas Khan returns with a live performance for a good cause

TALENTED British singer Zaheer Abbas Khan has released some superb songs that include great cover versions and his beautifully crafted recent single release Tujhse Judai.

Like many talented live performers, he is getting back on stage now the restrictions are being lifted and will headline a charity show in London on December 12, which pays tribute to legendary singer Kishore Kumar. All proceeds of the family-friendly show go towards the Wiping Tears charity.


Eastern Eye caught up with the vocally gifted British artist to discuss the live show, Kishore Kumar, his inspirations and the admirable charity he is helping.

How much does performing live mean to you?

Performing live is a beautiful thing. When done right it can really connect the performer with the audience and create magic. It means a lot to me, and I want to do a lot more of it in the future.

What has been your most memorable live performance?

When I opened the show for Sajjad Ali in London at the Cadogan Hall. The audience was spectacular, and I couldn’t believe I was opening the show for one of my musical idols! I will never forget how after my performance Sajjad Ali sir walked past me, flicked my shoulder, and said, ‘well done’.

Tell us something about your forthcoming concert?

This is a show combining entertainment and charity. I had always wanted to give a tribute to Kishore Kumar. This will be a fun-packed evening with some of his massive hits being performed.

What do you love about Kishore Kumar as a singer?

His versatility and authenticity. In an era that was dominated by highly-skilled musicians and singers, he made his own name and identity even though he wasn’t strictly classically trained. His voice has a beautiful character to it that translates emotions into melody ever so beautifully.

What are your favourite Kishore Kumar songs?

Too many to choose from but here are a few: Kuch To Log Kahenge, Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi, O Hansini, Yeh Kya Hua and a million others!

Tell us about the charity you are raising money for?

Wiping Tears is a charity started by my brother and me in 2015, with the sole aim to relieve financial hardship of underprivileged and vulnerable families and individuals. We aim to provide financial support in four areas which are basic human needs, education, medical aid, and marriage support. You can find out more at www.wipingtears.org.uk

Do you ever get nervous before going on stage?

Always! I think its natural and actually a good sign because it helps you focus. However, I find once I start performing the nerves settle down and I begin to enjoy my time on the stage.

Which live performer are you a fan of?

Michael Jackson! His energy was unmatched, and his art almost seemed spiritual, and he was able to grip the audience so intensely.

What else can we expect from you?

I have just released a single Tujhse Judai and my next song is a lighthearted song called Nikkah Ka in which a young man is begging his parents to get him married off! The music video should be out in a few months.

What inspires you as a singer?

I love creating things from scratch. That gives me a massive buzz, which is why I love composing new songs every day! I sometimes ask my friends to give me random scenarios and then I try to compose a song according to that specific situation. Putting situations and emotions into music and melody is my favourite hobby so I think I could sit and compose or sing all day if I could.

Why should we all come to watch your concert?

Because it’s entertainment for a good cause. You will enjoy yourself with the music knowing that all proceeds from the ticket you bought are going towards a good cause. It’s a win-win.

A Tribute To Kishore Kumar by Zaheer Abbas Khan is being held at Pinner Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Pinner HA5 1AA on December 12.

Visit www.eventbrite.com

More For You

Father’s Day

Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion

iStock

What Father’s Day means around the world: A celebration of presence over presents

Father’s Day is often seen as a time for cards, tools or a family lunch, but across the globe, it carries a much deeper significance. Beyond the commercial promotions, Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion. While some mark the occasion with grand gestures, others focus on quiet reflection, respect and the bonds that define fatherhood.

Thailand’s day of respect

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is as much about honouring the nation’s former monarch as it is about celebrating fatherhood. Citizens wear yellow, the king’s birth colour, and present canna lilies to their fathers as a symbol of gratitude and respect. It’s a cultural blend of familial and national reverence.

Keep ReadingShow less
Victor Hugo hidden artworks

Drawings by Victor Hugo on display include Ecce Lex

Paris Musees

Victor Hugo’s hidden artworks reveal political depth and poetic mystery

The moment I walked into the Royal Academy to see Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo, I thought of Rabindranath Tagore.

Both men were giants of literature, but they were visual artists as well.

Keep ReadingShow less
Celebrating 50 Years of Mili: A Timeless Hindi Classic

The year 1975 was significant in Indian cinema for newly crowned superstar Amitabh Bachchan

Prime Video

Celebrating 50 years of Mili, an underrated classic of Hindi cinema

The year 1975 was significant in Indian cinema for newly crowned superstar Amitabh Bachchan, as he starred in the two biggest films of that year, and also his career, Deewaar and Sholay.

These blockbusters cemented his position at the top. In between their releases came Mili, Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s decidedly different tearjerker.

Keep ReadingShow less
London's Jaipur Literature Festival seeks to
‘build bridges between cultures’

William Dalrymple with his artist wife Olivia Fraser

London's Jaipur Literature Festival seeks to ‘build bridges between cultures’

EASTERN EYE is supporting this year’s Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) at the British Library next Friday (13) to Sunday (15) as its media partner.

“We are happy to do so as we aim to be ‘the voice of British Asians’, as we say on our masthead,” said Shailesh Solanki, executive editor of the newspaper.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Aamir Khan Effect: Transformations That Stun and Inspire

Aamir Khan’s iconic transformation in Bollywood over the decades

Getty Images

Aamir Khan effect: Whiskers, wigs and big wow moments

Aamir Khan returns to the big screen this month in Sitare Zameen Par, a heart-warming Bollywood remake of the Spanish comedy-drama Campiones. He plays a disgraced basketball coach who takes on an unexpected challenge with a team of individuals with special needs.

Sporting a look unlike any from the past decade, the film – due out on 20 June – adds to the many transformations he has embraced over his career, from shifting hairstyles to dramatic facial hair.

Keep ReadingShow less