Hariharan’s Mesmerising Ghazals Light Up Vrindavan Mahotsav in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: The cultural spirit of Holi came alive at Rabindra Mandap as the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department in association with Vrindavan Gurukul hosted the vibrant Vrindavan Mahotsav on Wednesday.
The highlight of the evening was an enthralling performance by legendary vocalist Hariharan, whose soulful ghazals left the audience spellbound.
Extending his warm Holi greetings to the gathering, Hariharan set the tone for a musically rich evening steeped in devotion and romance.
The programme opened with a collective flute recital by the talented artistes of Vrindavan Gurukul. The ensemble performance beautifully brought to life classics like “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye” and the Holi favourite “Rang Barse,” creating a serene and festive ambience.
The recital was accompanied by Bishwa Ranjan Nanda on tabla, Vaibhav Das on dhol, and Rupesh Jeevan on guitar, adding rhythmic depth to the melodic presentation.
Taking centre stage in the second half, Hariharan captivated listeners with a thoughtfully curated repertoire. He began with the emotive thumri “Tu Aaja Kanhna,” followed by the devotional “Aisi Hori Na Khelo Kanhai Re,” perfectly resonating with the festive spirit of Holi.
The evening reached its crescendo as the Padma Shri awardee rendered a series of his timeless ghazals, including “Log Kehte Hain Ajnabi Tum Ho,” “Jhoom Le Hans Bol Le,” “Nishan Yun To The,” “Woh Nahin Mera Magar,” “Sheher Dar Sheher,” and the evergreen classic “Ranjish Hi Sahi.” Each rendition drew thunderous applause, with the audience immersed in nostalgia and admiration for the maestro’s enduring artistry.
The event was graced by eminent personalities, including renowned flautist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Hariprasad Chaurasia, along with senior government officials such as Hemant Sharma, Vishal Kumar Dev, Aswathy S., Balwant Singh, IG Saini S., and Suchismita Mantri, among others.
The Vrindavan Mahotsav thus turned into a memorable celebration of music, devotion, and cultural harmony, with Hariharan’s mesmerizing performance standing out as the defining moment of the evening.