SOUL STRINGS, what a night to be remembered! Excitement was in the air. Tonight was all about two brilliant musicians whose performance was greatly anticipated. Everyone was dressed in their finest threads, their hands clasped, and waiting with excited breaths for the performance to begin.And there they emerged; Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan, Indian classical musicians and sons of Amjad Ali Khan. Anticipation erupted amongst the audience. While everyone had been mingling and chatting before being seated for the show, there was now pin drop silence. Everyone wanted to hear the magic these two musicians spun with their sarods. Not one muscle twitched.The lights dimmed and the music started. Amaan and Ayaan, took the stage by storm and hypnotised every single soul in the deep and magical context of their music. Their sarods spoke volumes and their amazing performance earned them a place in everyone's heart that lovely night.The performance ended, and deafening claps surrounded the hall. Faces beamed with smiles, and some touched their hearts with a content expression. The performance was beautiful in every aspect that counted. Amaan and Ayaan's melodious tune spoke to the soul...Everyone was then directed towards the buffet and the crowd ate with ravenous appetites. Chatters and discussions of the memorable performance could be heard throughout the room. It was this precise moment I knew I had to speak to Amaan and Ayaan. I had to hear their thoughts on the performance and I wanted to compliment their music. I went excitedly to the room where they were seated and spotted Ayaan, who had just completed his dinnerl. I walked over, introduced myself and began my array of questions.AYAAN ALI KHANInterviewer:What are your thoughts on coming to Thailand and performing for the Indian Thai community?Ayaan :You know, it's been long overdue. We had performed here earlier, but it was for a private company. This was the first time we played for the local music lovers of Bangkok. I hope to come here with my father one day and perform for the lovely audience. It would be nice to try to come down at least once in two years.Interviewer :I've taken a few interviews of people sitting on the VIP table and all of them have mentioned how much they love your dad's music as well.Ayaan :Of course! So do we! I hope he does come here soon, because he hasn't performed in Bangkok for a very long time.Interviewer :What's your inspiration? Your music is played so well.Ayaan :I think the moment someone is passionate about what they do, the inspiration just follows. So definitely inspiration to perform is inspired by passion. But if an individual is not passionate, then there's no point in doing what they're doing. The aspect of passion must be there for anyone in whatever field they're in.Interviewer :Are you aware that everybody here loved your performance today?Ayaan :I think that God's been kind! The kind of warmth and love we are getting backstage conveys the fact that people are touched with our music and I feel very blessed. Music helps us connect to people and by Gods grace, the audience really blessed us. They were really happy and we got a very good vibration while seated on stage .Interviewer :Personally for me your music was very healing and touching.Ayaan :Indian classical music derives its Origin from spirituality. The evolution of music itself has been a very sacred path. So when we are on stage, for us, it's meditation. It's the greatest form of prayer for us. Because as musicians we don't believe in borders, or regions, we belong to the world. In fact in the near future I hope to collaborate with the local symphony here. I've spoken to a few people and let's hope that happens.Interviewer :Thank you so much for your time tonight .Ayaan :Thank youAyaan Ali Khan was extremely humble. It was a privilege to have interviewed him. With high spirits, I walked over towards his brother, Amaan Ali Khan, for the second interview of the night.AMAAN ALI KHANInterviewer :How do you feel about being here in Thailand and performing in front of a completely different crowd?Amaan :ZEE TV, my brother and I go way back, when we first hosted a tv show 18 years ago called Sa Re Ga Ma. I've gone to Phuket and Hua Hin before, but this is the first time I've been to Bangkok for a concert. It was a great experience, lovely food, and a very nice, warm and receptive audience.Interviewer :What drives you and made you so passionate about what you do?Amaan :The love of people just the way they are, the applause, the way we are received by everybody, the expectations people have when we are performing. All these things are like a vitamin for us, and we try to give our best. It's also basically the warmth that drives us to do well.Interviewer :Are you aware of how happy and pleased the audience were with your performance?Amaan :It's all God's blessings, our parent's blessings, and mainly the love and affection.Interviewer :The audience loves your dad's work as well and are looking forward for you to come back!Amaan :Fingers crossed. Definitely! We would love to come back!Interviewer :And if you do I hope to cover your interview once again!Amaan :Thank you so much.That was amazing! They were both so receptive and interactive. I left that room, beaming with happiness. It was an absolute honour to have been sharing the same space as them.BHAVNIT KATESARIN SINGHSACHAKULNow it was time to interview some of the guests that were seated on the VIP table, and individuals who made this event such a memorable one. I quickly hurried towards the buffet and spotted Bhavnit Katesarin Singhsachakul looking like elegance personified in her golden gown. Her face held a beam and she looked pleased at the performance that had just occurred.Interviewer :Your gown looks just beautiful on you!Bhavnit :Thank you! It's from Arsh Couture - High Fashion Collection. My designer did an excellent job, for which I'm very grateful.Interviewer :What are your views on the concert you have just attended?Bhavnit :Amaan and Ayaan are just brilliant. In fact, they represent the younger generation but I wouldn't categorize them as millennials; but definitely as a generation where one wouldn't usually expect playing music like this. It wasn't just struck chords - it was an actual conversation of 'taals.' They were enjoying themselves during the entire performance,  which I found very captivating. And they actually managed to immerse every single person in that hall into the world of 'sangeet,' I felt that was truly mesmerizing.Interviewer :How do you feel about Qonsultant being the supporting partner of ZEE TV for this event?Bhavnit :In one word, humbled. Working with Mayuri has been great. When Sutheep Singhsachakul and I were given the VIP table, we deemed it an honour. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayuri, for giving us the opportunity to platform Qonsultant as a Supportive Partner and to thank every one of those established individuals, who made that night such a memorable one.Interviewer :Please elaborate a bit about your company and what you do!Bhavnit :At Qonsultant - Your Thought, Our Process, we deal in company profiling, merges and acquisitions, restructuring, designing portfolios, and the horizon spread wider. In fact, this day is a memorable one for me, for Qonsultant,  also because it's a soft launch of a book I recently wrote for Kenneth Kam, The Equilibrium: Training the Money Mindset. Our clientele stretches across South East Asia. But coming onboard with Mayuri and ZEE TV was something I didn't see coming this year. It was definitelya surprise! A good beginning to 2017, I'd say.SHIVA AND RUBY SHANIDA SRICHAWLA (Official door gifts sponsor)Just after interviewing Bhavnit, I then spotted Ruby at the buffet hand-in-hand with her husband, Shiva, a dynamic duo who have just launched their new organic products range, IVARAY.Interviewer :How do you feel about being a VIP guest at the event tonight?Ruby :It was a honor to be a part of the VIP experience at Souls Strings. A very pleasant evening indeed. The sound of Amaan and Ayaan's melodious music evoked something visceral within. Their breathtaking performance was powerful and beautiful, totally enchanting. I hope to be as lucky again to have the opportunity to experience the duo's live performance at least once more, be it in India or anywhere in Asia. And I really mean "at least." It was that amazing!Interviewer :Do you have any message for Amaan and Ayaan that you would love to share?Ruby :I would love to thank Amaan & Ayaan for doing what they do, touching souls with their instrumental strings and to ZEE TV, Qonsultant and Kenneth Kam for hosting them. And thank you for choosing IVARAYorganics. It was our pleasure to sponsor the gifts for guests at this memorable ZEE TV event.Interviewer :Tell us something about your company, IVARAYorganics!Ruby :IVARAYorganics features vitamin-rich cosmetics and simple yet effective skincare adhering to the mantra, "if you can't eat it, don't apply it on your skin." IVARAY products are made with the intent to help our clients love their skin everyday. Think chemical-free skincare that benefits all ages and all skin-types. Its never too late to discover your best skin. We also humbly hope to be a part of ZEE TV's future shows/events.DR. RANI PHLAPHONGPHANICHMingling around a little, I then spotted the esteemed Dr. Rani and immediately headed towards her. She was draped in a sari that was an epitome of subtle grace and elegance.Interviewer :What are your thoughts on the event that took place tonight?Dr. Rani :I felt great! We wanted newcomers to surface as we would love Indian culture to be brought back. As the people who are settled outside India, we feel very attached to our roots. This way our heritage is brought back to us and we feel connected. I can relate such events to my country, to my Motherland. So it feels amazing.Interviewer :How did you feel about being a VIP guest in today's program?Dr. Rani :I felt very privileged. I was especially surprised with the sponsor who's a Singaporean and as to why he was sponsoring this event. He said he had a lot of Indian friends and he loves Indian music. So we meet such great people who feel connected through music with us through other nations and nationalities. That is amazing!Interviewer :Do you have any message for Amaan and Ayaan?Dr. Rani :They're quite young and I'm very impressed with them as they are very into their music. Their heart was into those strings! Keep it up!Interviewer :Would you want to elaborate a bit about your company?Dr. Rani :I was a doctor and I was working for a long time in many Thai hospitals. I was also a consultant in the Indian embassy. And being the first Indian and a woman doctor in Bangkok was a very privileged feeling. I have gotten a lot of love and respect from everyone and I'm very fond of my fellow Indians in Bangkok.SWANTI SUWANNEE SETHI (Makeup Artist)The moment I spotted this bright and lovely face, all that struck me was her flashing smile. Clad in a beautiful grey gown which was very stylish, I approached her with tremendous excitement as I knew the interview with her was going to be a fun one.Interviewer :What are your feelings and thoughts about being seated on the VIP table tonight?Swanti :I'm actually really excited! I'm a huge fan of classical music and the fact that my company, Swaness could be a beauty partner and help out in this event, I'm really privileged and honored to be a part of it.Interviewer :Do you have any message for Amaan and Ayaan as you are a great fan of theirs?Swanti :Keep doing what you guys do and keep spreading that beautiful music that you guys create. I also have to say that the fact that brothers are coming together to keep the classical Indian music alive is just amazing.Interviewer :How is Swaness different or unique from other brands?Swanti :Swaness is a brand that I created seven years ago when I first became a makeup artist. Now I have established a company where I have a team of fifty people who are internationally trained; both hairstylists and makeup artists. We're there to cover most events. We work with all nationalities, and all types of makeup. Our company does screen makeup, fashion shoots, special effects. And that's how we're different because we're a one stop shop.HARLEEN K. AWLA  (Creative Director of The Look by Harleen)Amongst all the ray of colours that usually adorn the Indian culture, I spotted Harleen at a corner dipped in all black. Her makeup was outstanding which what makes her the established upcoming makeup artist today.Interviewer :How do you feel about being seated on the VIP table for the ZEE TV Asia Pacific event?Harleen :It was really good! I really enjoyed it. The music was so soulful, I had an extremely great time.Interviewer :That's great to hear, Harleen! Do you have any message for Amaan and Ayaan that you would love to share?Harleen :I've never felt so connected verbally and emotionally to music before.Interviewer :Yeah, me too! Can you please elaborate to all our readers about your company and what you do.Harleen :So, I'm the founder of The Look by Harleen. What I do basically is makeup and accordingly I style my customer's clothes as well.  Every face is different, so I like to do my makeup in such a way that it enhances everyone's face as an individual.PAWANA KOGHAR CHAWLA  (Western Outfit Designer)A toga and a pantsuit, what an outstanding combination for an event like this! Pawana looked classy in a bun, pulled back tightly. I needed to know more about how she started her entire clothes line and what was her experience on today's performance!Interviewer :How do you feel on being invited as a VIP guest tonight?Pawana :A little bit honoured, to be honest. Bhavnit called me up one random night and explained to me all about the event and how she wanted friends who would actually benefit and promote what they're really working hard for from the event. She wanted us to mix leisure and work, and I immediately decided "why not!"Interviewer :Do you also have any message for our great musicians, Amaan and Ayaan?Pawana :I think there are a lot of newcomers in the audience, a lot of people who have never actually given time to hear their music. We are unfortunately not living in India. But here in Bangkok, we have a community that is strong enough to hold on to our heritage and traditions. I believe a lot of people would appreciate what they're doing!Interviewer :Could you elaborate a bit about your company and what you do to make it what it is today?Pawana :So, it actually started out as a side project with me and my sister. We both have full time jobs, but our love for fashion made us realize that the option of attire and business attire was limited. We decided that we needed a brand that represented our personality and clothes which were available in all sizes. We do cover the whole range; from XS all the way to an XL. And I believe that is one of our strongest points. Also, like the perfect match between chocolate and wine, the team behind KIRAN x PAWANA (our company) are two sisters who's creative minds and youthful characters fuel this sophisticated yet playful label. KIRAN x PAWANA, emphasise quality and purpose of design in every aspect of our line. Determined to bridge the gap between flirty fashion and the sophistication of the working world, we bring forth a line of clothing that highlights the ability of today's women, and the pursuit of having it all. This is the idea behind our brand and what drives us.SUMAN AWLA AND SEEMA KEWALRAMANI (Magnificence)What a magnificent view! Standing next to Harleen, chatting away, were another dynamic duo of the night who were VIP guests as well. Their work is extremely well known across Thailand and Southeast Asia and getting a chance to interview them today was an opportunity not to be missed.SUMAN:SEEMA:Interviewer :How do you both feel about being invited as a VIP for the ZEE TV event?Suman :I think it's a great honor because I know Bhavnit and I know everyone around us, so it was a great experience. Amaan and Ayaan were amazing, the music was fantastic. It was something completely different from what I imagined and expected.Seema :It was fantastic! I came to the event with a heavy head but now I'm extremely relaxed. Their music was very calming.Interviewer :Any message for Amaan and Ayaan you would both love to share?Suman :Continue spreading the love through music, and I'm really impressed that being such young instrumentalists, they've actually been able to capture art so beautifully and I think that's amazing.Seema :Likewise!Interviewer :How do you both feel about the event as a whole being Magnificence organizers?Suman :We've been exposed to a lot events, but this one was very personal because it was not all about the glamour. It was more about the soul of the event. It was a very personal and warm feeling. I loved it!Seema :I felt extremely warm. It was really nice to be here.Interviewer :Please elaborate a bit about your company and what you both do.Suman :We do a lot of weddings. Our mainstream work is destination weddings. Now we've gradually started getting into corporates. We've been in the business for nine years and we hope to carry on for many more years to come. Our work is mostly passion driven!KUMU HANDA (Lawyer)A striking combination of beauty and brains, Kumu stood gorgeous in her BCBG gown. Not in her usual element of legal action, the Amaan and Ayaan fan was chatting away excitedly as I approached her.Interviewer :How did you feel about being invited as a VIP guest for the Zee Tv event?Kumu :I was really pleased to be invited as a VIP for the event. I was very excited to hear them play live. I love their music, and I love their father's music.Interviewer :Any message for Amaan and Ayaan?Kumu :The minute the first chord was struck, I was transported! Having studied in Shantiniketan, I was thrilled to recognise a piece written by Tagore himself. The concert was mesmerising and the connection between the musicians was a joy to behold. Amaan and Ayaan are so dedicated to their art and played so passionately, I just can’t wait to watch them play again.Interviewer :Please elaborate a bit about your company.Kumu :JNP Legal is a Boutique Corporate and Commercial Law firm in Bangkok. We pride ourselves on our personalized services in matters related to Company formation, Labour, Family, Litigation and Intellectual Property.That was extremely exciting! Learning their thoughts and finding out how these individuals built their careers was interesting. I had such a wonderful time. Tonight was a great night; with soulful music that touched every heartstring, to mingling around and to getting to interview those famous personalities, it was an indeed a night to remember!- Prem K. Kaur