Lucknow: The first day of the Gomti Book Festival 2026 witnessed a vibrant blend of literature, books and music on Saturday evening. A special musical programme featuring ‘Paras Live’ added a lively dimension to the festival, with the band entertaining audiences with a mix of Bollywood retro, Sufi and rock music.
The evening began with popular Bollywood melodies and evergreen retro songs, followed by soulful Sufi compositions. Energetic rock arrangements further added vibrancy to the programme. The diverse musical repertoire appealed to audiences across age groups, including children, young people and families.
Book lovers and music enthusiasts attending the festival thoroughly enjoyed the performances. The audience applauded and cheered the artists during popular numbers, while the use of live instruments made the performance particularly engaging and vibrant.
‘Paras Live’ comprises Paras (Vocals), Shailesh (Keys), Anshu (Electric Guitar), Dev (Bass Guitar) and Yug (Drums). The band has been active in the live music circuit for around five years and has performed at a wide range of venues and events.
The Gomti Book Festival aims to bring readers closer to books and literature while creating opportunities for dialogue, art, culture and creative expression. In keeping with this vision, the musical programme on the opening day formed an integral part of the festival’s diverse cultural offerings.
Amid the vibrant setting of the book festival, the evening of music emerged as one of the key attractions of the opening day, complementing the literary and cultural activities with a lively musical experience.
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