The programme was one of the eight promotional campaigns for the recently released new album of Mastie. The performance began with Vikrant , a singer from England singing four of his songs including his hit songs Punjabiyan da dhol wajda and Chamm Chamm. After which the stage was taken up by Ashok Mastie.

The audience, however, appreciated Mastie more than Vikrant, as the audience came up before the stage and danced to the music. Ashok Mastie began with Bari barsi khatan gaya si and also sang a few songs from his latest album which included Wah Bhai Wah and Dil de de kudiye. However, the performance fell short of the crowd's expectations, with most saying,``It was just okay''. Archana, a collegiate remarked, "He can sing, but I don't find it good enough to dance to. Maybe, if he sang a bit better and reduced the noisy beats it would be better." Amrit Sidhu, a businessman, however liked him and said, ``He is good, and the audience is liking it, and that is the basic requirement for a singer to become a hit nowadays.'

He has just shot to fame with his song Wah Bhai Wah. But Ashok has already begun enjoying the `masti' of popularity, what with his music video already on air on almost all the music channels. Though the practical man in him points out, ``It is very difficult toget recognition in the market today. Most of the newcomers are being exploited by organisers and the so-called promoters who promise them name and fame in a short span of time, but at the end of the day they hand only disillusionment to them. Which results in real talents getting ignored on the way.''

Meet Ashok Mastie, the latest to join the Indi pop bandwagon, whose latest album, Yeh hai Mastee, has recently been released by Times Music. ``The album has eigt numbers with a strong traditional Punjabi base,'' Mastie told Newsline.

Born Ashok Sachdev, in Gidderbaha, he changed his name to Mastie as ``I sing `masti-bhare' songs''. Masti writes and composes his own songs and most of the lyrics in his latest album are his own contribution. Though it was a fun-filled break, Mastie intends to go serious and has started training in classical music. ``I want to improve the quality of my singing.'' Though he has sung only pop songs till now, Mastie notes, he will shift his focus on to traditional folk songs of Punjab once he is settled on the scene. As it is there is no rule for me. I go by the mood of the audience and the cultural hue of the area.'' Mastie now wants to introduce the youth to traditional songs of Punjab. He got his first break in the 90s while in Delhi when he was quite active in the theatre circle of both Chandigarh and Delhi. Talking about the forces which motivated him, he says, "I have been vastly influenced by Gurdaas Maan and Mohammed Rafi. Also. I also owe a lot to B. R. Khamosh, my writer friend from the same village.From these people I learnt the art of making my songs lyrical."

Mastie landed up in Times Music company when friend Jasbir Jassi recommended his name. Married to Neha, grand daughter of Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj, Mastie's family is now complete with son Vikramjit.