Daily Times

LAHORE: The spiritual poetry of Bulleh Shah to go with a scrumptious cuisine of desi foods, Andaaz restaurant’s Curry & Concert with Andaaz, amused Lahoris on Sunday.

The event took place at the restaurant’s rooftop so attendees could enjoy the historic view of the Badshahi Mosque.

A wide array of dishes including paneer tikka, malai boti, seekh kebab, daal makhni and palak paneer were served as folk singer Saeen who once used to sing mystic songs at Pakpattan’s shrine of Baba Farid enthralled the audience with his performance.

When asked about their experiences, the visitors expressed their joy on being at such an event

The Curry & Concert with Andaaz Restaurant event was basically an evening filled with music, merriment and a classic appeal for all food, music and cultural heritage lovers

Amna, 23, was of the opinion that she had been into that area for her love of food and had visited almost visited all the restaurants there. However, the environment and taste she enjoyed at Andaaz on this particular Sunday was very unique. She went on saying that desi food had its own taste and no other food or cuisine could match it.

Saad, 29, said that what set Andaaz apart from the rest of the restaurants was the stunning view one could enjoy of the Badshahi Mosque’s courtyard. However, to enjoy the view and the food along with hearing the kalams of Baba Bulleh Shah was a unique experience in itself, he added.

Andaaz Restaurant Marketing Head Hyba Nawaz who took this initiative of promoting this talent and coming up with the Curry & Concert idea, said while talking exclusively to Daily Times that there was a time when the roof of Andaaz was completely empty and was used for corporate events only. Then she decided to convert the roof into a place where the people can experience a cultural essence.

The cultural touch includes desi food, Sufi kalam, folk music and majorly the best view of the grand Badshahi Mosque, she added. She also said that the place was not set up for business purposes but to promote Pakistani folk talent along the experience of food and music.

Hyba Nawaz said that folk singer Saeen was discovered by the owner of the restaurant on his tour to Pakpattan when he spotted Saeen singing at a shrine. She added that he was then brought to Andaaz where people became his fan and soon he got international recognition.

“Just to promote our basic aim behind setting up a rooftop concept restaurant, he was the first one in row of our introduction of Pakistani folk talent,” she observed.

The Curry & Concert with Andaaz Restaurant event was basically an evening filled with music, merriment and a classic appeal for all food, music and cultural heritage lovers.

The charges for entry per person were Rs 1,999 and the event took place from 8pm to 10pm, just when the entire surrounding area becomes illuminated with night lights.

Published in Daily Times, October 16^th 2018.