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Young sitar performer from Hyderabad wins the grand 'Funkaar-e-Aala' title

Young sitar performer from Hyderabad wins the grand 'Funkaar-e-Aala' title

Ritika Dhanja's performance in NESTLÉ NESFRUTA FUNKAAR was a soulful tribute to an Aamir Zaki classic
Updated 12 Sep, 2018

NESTLÉ NESFRUTA recently celebrated Pakistani talent with a grand, multidimensional TV show, NESTLÉ NESFRUTA FUNKAAR.

The grand finale of the show aired an exciting string of performances by young individuals who travelled from all corners of Pakistan to showcase their unique talent.

The best out of these acts was chosen to be a teenaged Hindu girl's performance on the sitar.

Hailing from Hyderabad, Ritika Dhanja, who was named the NESFRUTA FUNKAAR-E-AALA for 2018, has been learning and honing her craft under legendary classical sitarist, Ustad Raees Khan.

The 16-year-old won the grand title of the show by performing hypnotic sitar led musical pieces, one of which included a profound tribute to the guitar legend Aamir Zaki.

Here's a glimpse into it:

Top funkaars of the show include:

Other performances at the grand finale

Among the top few finalists were Shahid, Qadeer, Ali Shahbaz, Sikander and Raina - and of course - Ritika.

Here's a quick look at the few performances that were received well by the audience and the jury alike.

Street Dreamer Crew's high impact performance

Dancing duo, Sikandar and Raina, showing off their synchronous dance skills on stage

Qadeer singing to a peppy tune

Ali Shahbaz sure knows how to look and sound like a rockstar

The show was hosted by Yasir Hussain and the jury consisted of Vasay Choudhry and Bushra Ansari along with guest judge for the grand finale, the legendary comedian Umer Sharif.

For more details on the show, head over to Nestlé Nesfruta's official Facebook page.


This content is a paid advertisement by Nestlé Nesfruta and is not associated with or necessarily reflective of the views of Images and Dawn.com.

Comments

Abrar Sep 12, 2018 04:41pm
Amazing. Glad to see Pakistani minorities taking big stage. A positive story. A country ‘s success is when a minority feels proud about being its citizen. A country ‘s failure is when a minority fears for the government
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M. Emad Sep 12, 2018 05:33pm
Classical Music has no future in Pakistan --- 'Funkaar-e-Aala' Ritika Dhanja should pursue her career in India or Bangladesh.
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Kris Sep 12, 2018 06:46pm
Soul soothing! Thanks.
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Tamilselvan Sep 12, 2018 07:48pm
What a Beauty, elagence and gracefulness with this young sitar player and we pray to the Godess of learning and music Ma Sarasvathi to bless her with a long life to spread the music around the world. If minorities like her are harnessed in the land of pure all she has to do is to look further east to develop and spread her live of music
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gullu Badsha Sep 12, 2018 09:35pm
Super performance by Ritika. This Bushra can't stop herself being dramatic all the time. She is overacting all the time.
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gullu Badsha Sep 12, 2018 09:39pm
@M. Emad , really ! how about the dozens of classical coming up on the scene every now and then in Pakistan. The Gharanas and their children. I don't think you have any idea what a good future Classical music has in Pakistan.
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Ubuntu Sep 12, 2018 09:54pm
Ritika is just 16. Just unbelievable performance.... Bravo.... Hats off.
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Vijay B. Sep 13, 2018 12:12am
Wah bhai wah! Ritika Kamaal ka bajati hein. Hats of to this extremely talented young lady and all the best wishes as well.
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Sam Sep 13, 2018 04:42am
Why call out her religion. She is Pakistani period.
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Musti Sheikh Sep 13, 2018 07:54am
It is amazing that how good Ritika Dhanja can play such a difficult instrument with lot of confidence. We should all encourage and support Ms. Dhanja to take her talent to the next level.
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Vidyasagar Sep 13, 2018 09:20am
Nice to see encouragement for minorities in Pakistan. We don't see this side that much and thanks to Dawn for bringing this kind of news
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Nikumanikada Sep 13, 2018 10:26am
am happy that rithika a Hindu has won this award.i hope she goes international and becomes an international sensation.
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ABL Sep 13, 2018 11:33am
Simply beautiful. Just 16years old. Very inspiring. Got me emotional, when she played tribute to Aamir Zaki
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