ONCE A DELHIITE, ALWAYS A DELHIITE, SAYS JAVED ALI

Nikita Saxena

You can take a Delhiite out of Delhi, but not Delhi out a Delhiite. And singer Javed Ali, who hails from the Capital, agrees. “Main Delhi ka hi hoon, and it’s amazing to perform in the city because ghar pe log pyaar karte hain toh baat hi alag hoti hai,” he says.

Ali, who performed in the city yesterday, says he chooses songs carefully when he has to perform for Dilliwallahs. “People here love peppy numbers. Whether they’re going to attend a Sufi concert or a romantic concert, they want to end it with energetic numbers. When I’m deciding what songs to perform, I ensure that the list has both mellow and peppy numbers.”

He adds, “I love going to Jama Masjid and Daryaganj whenever I am in Delhi. And Purani Dilli ka khaana mera favourite hai, so I make it a point to go there!”

People here love peppy numbers. Whether they’re going to attend a Sufi concert or a romantic concert, they want to end it with energetic numbers.

JAVED ALI SINGER