Musical Extravaganza Lights Up Diwali at ITV Gold Auditorium

The evening commenced with a captivating Tabla Ensemble featuring the rhythmic prowess of students Aarav, Aryan, Kaashish, Amogh, Aryan, and Tushar, disciples of the renowned Pandit Aditya Narayan Banerjee. Their performance left the audience in awe, showcasing not only technical finesse but also a deep connection with the art.

Following the rhythmic spectacle, a Group Vocal Recital unfolded, featuring the talents of Atherva, Aishika, Anika, and Ronak. They masterfully rendered two compositions dedicated to Devi, skillfully directed and harmoniously supported by Smt. Lalita Mathur on the harmonium and Adityaji on the tabla.

The second half of the evening brought forth a diverse range of musical genres, including Ghazal, Thumri, and popular Bollywood songs that kept the audience enthralled. Smt. Anasua Dey graced the stage with her soulful renditions of popular Ghazal numbers, “Muhabbat karne wale kam na honge” and “Hum to hai pardes me.”

Pandit Pranab Kumar Biswas then took center stage, mesmerizing the discerning audience with his melodious voice. His renditions, based on the enchanting raga Yaman Kalyan, included timeless melodies like “Jab Deep Jale aana,” “Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho,” “Tum ko dekha to ye Khayal aaya,” and the soul-stirring Sufi number “Eri sakhi mai piya ghar.”

The musical journey continued with raga-based film songs, including “Aaoge jab tum ho Saajna,” “Naam Gum jayega,” “Bite Na bitaye rayena,” and “Mere Nayna Sawan Bhado.” The accompanying musicians, Sri Ranjan Roy Chaudhuri on the guitar, Razib Hassan on the keyboard, and Aditya Narayan Banerjee on the tabla, provided brilliant support, enhancing the impact of the performances.

Notable in the audience was Pandit Ramesh Narayan, a distinguished singer and film music composer, who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor. The memorable performances of the evening, coupled with the distinguished presence of Pandit Ramesh Narayan, ensure that the echoes of this musical celebration will resonate in the hearts of New Jersey’s music lovers for a long time to come.