July Issue 2008

With a line-up boasting local artists and performers, two bands from across the border and flamenco dancers from the UK, the stage was set for nothing less than an evening packed with pure entertainment. And that is exactly what The Musik Awards 2008 delivered.

In addition, the organisers of the event, J&S3 Communications, made sure that all the guests had a chance to socialise before, during and after the event. By setting up a lounge outside the ceremony area, celebrities and non-celebrities alike had a chance to mingle, see who’s who and, of course, check out what everyone was wearing. More so, since the event started ridiculously late — more than three hours after its designated time. But once the show started, there was no stopping it.

The ceremony kicked off with an energetic, foot-thumping Musik Awards 2008, J&S3 Communications, Hassan Jehangir Hawa Hawa, Muzik Awards Fuzon, Muzik Awards Ali Azmat, Muzik Aperformance of ‘Hawa Hawa’ by Hassan Jehangir, doing an Elvis/Mithun impersonation, dressed in white and silver, complete with sunglasses and a big-collared shirt. Following were equally phenomenal live performances by Fuzon, Ali Azmat, Sajjad Ali and Ali Noor among others. Noticeably missing from the ceremony were popular names such as Atif Aslam, Jal, Strings and Najam Sheraz, due to international tour dates and prior commitments. However, with a great mix of both live and pre-recorded acts, flamenco dancers from the UK, Rahat Fateh Ali’s rendition of ‘Naina Thug Lenge’ from the soundtrack of the Indian flick Omkara, adrenaline-pumping performances by Josh and Euphoria that had everyone on their feet — a good time was had by all. Except maybe for Meera, who got offended by her co-host Adnan Siddiqui’s lines on stage. He said something to the effect of, “Tonight, let’s hear the beauty talk”(referring to Meera), to which the audience had a good laugh. And in true Meera-style, she walked away in a huff after presenting the Best Drummer award to Gumby, without waiting to hear his acceptance speech. Annie, or Princess Annie as she is known to her fans, came on stage seated on a throne carried by a bevy of stage performers, in a style oddly reminiscent of Britney Spears. Her performance was marred by a mismanaged sound system which stopped twice, but to her and the dance troupe’s credit they picked up where they left off, almost making it seem as though the interruptions were a part of their performance.

The last performance of the night was by the world-renowned Sain Zahoor. And just when everyone thought the night was over, there was an incredible display of fireworks.

Nayyara Noor was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award while Ghazanfar Ali, considered a pioneer in the music industry, received a highly deserved Special Contribution to Music award and a standing ovation.
The MCs and award presenters for the evening included Nadia Hussain, who looked stunning in her sleeveless white and silver-sequinned dress, Mahnoor Baloch, who looked half her age in a black evening gown, Humayun Saeed with his glittering ear jewellery, Faisal Qureshi with his pony-tailed hair, HSY in shiny leather pants, Rizwan Beyg, Sonya Battla, Nadia Jamil, Muneeb Nawaz, Nomi Ansari and many others.

All in all, The Musik Awards were extremely well-managed and the coordination throughout the ceremony was impeccable. The only question this reporter had by the end of the night was: how will the The Musik Awards team outdo themselves next year? Moreover, by showcasing an exceptional event, The Musik Awards have definitely set the bar high for other award shows.