Esplanade Presents

Music

A Journey Through Sufi And Ghazal Mehfil

Elliyas and Friends (Singapore)

27 Nov 2025, Thu, 7.15pm & 8.15pm

30mins

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Concourse

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Synopsis

Immerse yourself in an enchanting evening of Sufi and ghazal melodies with three exceptional artists: Elliyas Farid, a soulful Singapore-born keyboardist and composer; Neeraj Saxena, a Hindustani classical vocalist known for his expressive and heartfelt renditions; and Gayetri Joshi, whose captivating voice adds depth and emotion to every performance. Together, they take audiences on a nostalgic musical journey through timeless classics by legendary icons such as Ghulam Ali, Pankaj Udhas, Jagjit Singh, and Noor Jehan, to name a few. Sufi and ghazal literature often intertwine, using rich metaphors to explore themes of love, loss and the quest for union with the divine.

 

Ghazals began as a secular poetic form, later embraced by Sufi mystics, who adopted their structure to express spiritual concepts, creating a powerful tradition where the "beloved" can represent a human lover or God. Through intricate rhythms, soulful vocals, and evocative harmonies, this performance celebrates the poetic beauty and spiritual depth of Sufi and ghazal music. It is an evening where tradition meets emotion, and every note bridges the heart and the divine.

Language: Hindi, Urdu
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
Artist Information

Elliyas Farid

Elliyas Farid is a Singapore-born keyboardist, singer, composer, and rhythm arranger with over 25 years of experience. Versatile across genres like pop, rock, Latin, Bollywood, qawwali, and traditional Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and Punjabi folk music, he has performed at major venues including the Esplanade Theatre, Bollywood and Sufi events, and on Singapore television. Elliyas has also performed internationally in Malaysia and India, and collaborated with Abbas Ali Khan from Coke Studio Pakistan. Notable appearances include Radaan Media’s Cinema 75 Awards (2007), Vasantham’s Yaar Antha Star (2010), and Nenjukulle Unplugged. With soulful artistry and wide-ranging repertoire, Elliyas continues to inspire audiences across the borders.

Gayetri Joshi

Gayetri Joshi is a popular Indian singer currently based in Singapore. Trained in Hindustani classical music from a young age, she completed her Sangeet Visharad and later trained under Ustad Zainul Abedin at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata, specialising in the Agra Gharana tradition. Nurturing young musical talents at an international school in Singapore, Gayetri continues to captivate audiences with her versatile voice and dynamic stage presence. Her forte lies in old Bollywood melodies, channelling voices from Noor Jehan and Shamshad Begum, to Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal. With numerous performances spanning Bollywood, Western, devotional, and folk genres, she is celebrated for her vibrant, crowd-pleasing performances that beautifully bridge tradition and contemporary flair.

Neeraj Saxena

Neeraj Saxena is a Hindustani classical singer who blends tradition with contemporary style. He performs a wide range of genres, including Bollywood, Sufi, ghazal, and qawwali. With years of experience performing at bistros, private shows, and stage events, Neeraj captivates audiences through his soulful vocals and a heartfelt connection. His deep passion for music and unique interpretation of classical roots make every performance a truly memorable experience.

Date & Time

27 Nov 2025, Thu

7.15pm

Esplanade Concourse

8.15pm

Esplanade Concourse
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