Lucknow. Sufi singer Sonam Kalra and famous ghazal singer Radhika Chopra were honoured with the ‘Naushad Award’ given in the name of the famous musician at Avadh Festival held at Surya Auditorium in the cantonment. On this occasion, young singer Artika Bhattacharya also sang songs in the gathering of songs and ghazals along with the honoured singers.
In the programme organised by Hunar Creations and Craft Association, Chief Guest Central Command Chief Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta honoured both the artists by giving them mementoes, bouquets etc. On this occasion, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mukesh Chaddha, President Ruchira Sengupta, other guests, military officers and soldiers were present.
Welcoming the guests, convener Zafar Nabi, referring to the association and its 25 years of activities, said that there is only one personality like Naushad in a century. The association has made it its goal to remember him and entertain the army brothers.
Beginning the program, Sufi singer Sonam Kalra, describing herself as belonging to an army family, expressed happiness on performing among the soldiers in Lucknow. As the first poem, she started with Amir Khusro’s poem – Aye Ri Sakhi More Piya Ghar Aaye…. Connecting with this, she presented another poem of Khusro – Chap Tilak…. Then came the turn of poems like Bulleh Shah’s – Tere Ishq Nachaya…. The presentation of the famous composition – Damadam Mast Kalandar…. seemed to have spirituality mixed in it. His unique Sufi style in the presentation was very much liked. Rameez and Ahsan accompanied him on instruments. Along with reciting the lyrics, the artist playing the sarangi accompanied him very well in singing.
Shanti Hiranand’s disciple and famous Ghazal singer Radhika Chopra, while thanking the organizers for the award, recited Bahzad’s- Deewana Banana Hai To Deewana Bana De and gave voice to the famous Kalam- Ae Mohabbat Tere Anjaam Pe… composed by Shakeel Badayuni and sung by Thumri Queen Begum Akhtar, who was the identity of Awadh. Then she presented Jagjit Kaur’s composition based on Raag Pahadi- Tum Apna Ranjogam Apni Pariksha… written by Sahir Ludhianvi and set to Khayyam’s music. In the same sequence, as a tribute to composer Naushad, she sang his composed song- Awaaz Do Kahan Ho…. Fayyaz Hashmi’s song- Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo… took the listeners on a journey of bygone times in an attractive manner.
In the end, Kolkata’s young singer Artika Bhattacharya sang many songs like- Lag Ja Gale… along with the title song of the film Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
