To celebrate 71 years of Independence Day of Pakistan, a flag-hoisting ceremony was organized at Pakistan High Commission London where Pakistan’s first Sufi-opera singer Saira Peter was the headline performer and sang a number of patriotic songs at the event.
Saira Peter, who moved to London to pursue a career in music and got her training from Paul Knight, started off with ‘Aye Watan Pyare Watan’, (originally performed by the late Ustad Amanat Ali Khan), which was followed by a unique take on ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ in front of a packed house.
The singer also performed an unrehearsed version of ‘Is Parcham Ke Saaye Talle’ on the special request of the new High Commissioner H.E. Sahebzada Ahmed Khan, which floored the crowd. Saira Peter was later joined by her husband Stephen Smith on keyboard, renowned tabla player Aslam Ali, and renowned film composer and sitarist Jon Mayer.
It was after Saira’s two-hour long exhilarating performance that the High Commissioner and his wife met the opera singer and were all praises for her soulful renditions of classic numbers.
This is not the first time Saira has performed on Independence Day. Last year, she produced a patriotic tune ‘Aye Sarzameen’ which was received well by the audience.
