A college student at her first live show or a couple in their Seventies enjoying the young energy — Sunidhi Chauhan had everyone rocking at a concert organised by Forum for Durgotsab at Netaji Indoor Stadium on February 5. My Kolkata was the digital media partner of the event.
Romantic hits to fast numbers, audience grooved non-stop
Beatboxer DVK set the stage on fire with Sunidhi (left)
Sunidhi got off to a fiery start with Kamli, followed by popular numbers like Crazy kiya re, Pyaar ki ek kahani, Le dooba, Aa zara, Sajna ji vaari vaari and more. The audience cheered and grooved with her all through.
Meghma Saha, a student of St. Xavier’s College, was seen dancing in the audience with her friends. “This is the first time I am attending any concert and it had to be Sunidhi Chauhan’s. I have grown up listening to her songs. I am overwhelmed, charged up and I am enjoying it a lot. Also, look at her! What a voice! What energy!” she said.
The concert turned into a visual treat with lighting and special effects with smoke. To the music of Sajnaji vaari vaari entered beatboxer Divyansh Kacholia aka DVK and shared the stage with Sunidhi on a couple of songs thereafter.
Sunidhi’s tribute to KK
Audience turned the flashlights on to pay a tribute to KK
Sunidhi also sang a few soft numbers like Le dooba and Yaarum. In between her performance, she paused, and said, “It is a wonderful evening today and I want to sing a few of my favourite songs by KK. Since we are remembering him today, it will be incomplete if I don’t sing some of his songs.” She started off with KK’s Soniye, and then Dil khudgarz hai and Ishq Sufiana, much to the audience’s delight. While singing Pyaar ke pal, Sunidhi suddenly looked up towards the sky, and said “I love you, KK.” The audience joined her, waving their flashlights.
Interaction with the audience
Sunidhi performing on stage
The “queen of stage performances” interacted with the audience from stage, in between songs. It was a fun moment when she asked all the women to stand up and do the hook step of Desi girl with her.
Namrata Das, a resident of Dum Dum, came to the concert with her cousins and ended up dancing all evening. She said, “When it’s Sunidhi Chauhan, who can remain seated? Sunidhi doesn’t get tired and that’s what surprises me the most. She almost conquers the whole stage!”
Tribute to KK by singer Sujoy Bhowmik and Amrita Manjlis
Sujoy Bhowmik with Amrita Manjlis on stage
The evening also saw a special tribute to KK by singers Sujoy Bhowmik and Amrita Manjlis. Amrita used to play with KK during his initial days, whenever he performed in Kolkata. Sujoy hooked the audience with KK’s hits like Ankhon mein teri, Janat, Phirta rahu dar badar, Tadap tadap etc. Between his performance, he fondly remembered meeting and spending time with KK. He said, “While singing Tadap, I was remembering the time we spent in Dubai, in 2022, for a concert. I had a lovely time sharing the stage with him. He is a rockstar, and rockstars never die.”
Forum for Durgotsab presented a beautiful photo frame to Sunidhi Chauhan
Also spotted were Indrani Guin and her husband, both in their late 70s. The couple, who had come all the way from Chetla, said, “We loved KK as a singer but never got a chance to listen to him live in a concert. It was an amazing evening today and a great tribute to him. We might be of the older generation, but we thoroughly enjoyed the energy of the artistes. We felt young again, thanks to Forum for Durgotsab.”
