Few Indian pop stars can command the absolute adulation and love that Darshan Raval does and on Friday, February 9, t2 was witness to it. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the voice behind our favourite romantic tunes, like Mahiye jinna sohna and Lo aayi barsaat, was in town. The charming singer is currently on his nationwide tour, The Darshan Raval India Tour, and made a stop at Orchid Gardens for the event organised by Green Entertainment, in association with t2. With a passionate crowd and a soulful voice, Raval made it a night to remember. A few minutes before taking the stage, the hitmaker sat down with us for a quick chat. Excerpts.
How is it being back in Calcutta?
It’s always amazing and today, I even had mishti doi! The weather is also really good here and I am very excited to be coming back after a year. Last time too, I came for my India Tour and I am excited to see all my fans. I have received a lot of love and support from the people here. So, coming to Calcutta is always a ‘thanks-giving’ event because I want to say thanks to all my fans.
Were there any personal goals that you had aimed for with this tour?
The tour is just a celebration of the year. I do a lot of music all year round and while on tour, I have a chance to come on stage and sing them live. So, it’s like a celebration. There’s no goal to it but I try that every year, or every year-and-a-half we come up with a tour that is even bigger and better than what it was before. The next time we come up, it will be even bigger. So, that is what we try — that every time the experience gets even more surreal.
Darshan whipped out his guitar for the slow melodies, like Faasla and his first release, Pehli mohabbat, as the crowd put their flashlights on and swayed to every beat. He also made sure to interact with his fans even while performing on stage. He sang to his fans and quipped anecdotes about his songs, elevating the experience and making it memorable
What do you like more — playback singing or performing live?
I don’t do playback singing as much and mostly make songs for and by myself. It’s a circle or more like an infinite loop where I make a song and then release it, it becomes popular, it takes place in my fans’ hearts and then I perform it. So, it is a journey, a process for me where I like both. In my studio, I make songs with a certain emotion, I come on stage and perform and I feel something here and then I go back to the studio and make a new song with new emotions gathered.
What are some recent influences that have made an impact on your music?
Right after Covid-19, I was thinking too much about making music and I was not able to do it. So, recently, one thing I have been doing is to realise that I want to enjoy my music more, I don’t want to make music just for the sake of releasing it. It’s been so many years that I have been doing music because I love doing it, not because my songs get released, people like them and they become hits. That comes secondary. I want to enjoy the music first. The emotions and excitement I have with regards to music, I want to experience that while creating music and then give it to the fans.
When you plan your tours, are there any styling elements that you keep in mind?
The most important thing when I go on stage is that I should look good but I should also feel comfortable. There are lots and lots of things that are going on in my head when I am on stage. I have to sing properly, perform properly, so I want to be comfortable. And I believe any outfit looks good on you if you are comfortable.
“We were there to celebrate Valentine's week and our anniversary month. Being huge Darshan fans, it’s always a blessing to our ears to listen to his voice. My wife was the happiest when Darshan accepted her flowers from the stage. It was the most memorable night,” said Arihant Dugar with wife Roshni Thakwani Dugar.
“I chanced upon Darshan Raval when he was a contestant on a reality show. I eagerly anticipated his performances then. Recently, his debut song Pehli mohabbat found its way back to my playlist, reigniting my admiration for his music. By a stroke of luck, I attended his live performance in Calcutta, where his charm and captivating stage presence made the entire experience truly delightful. His albums have become a constant on my playlist,” said Adrija Dutta, a final-year microbiology student from VIT.
ORGANISER SPEAK:
“The whole of Calcutta has testified to the success of Darshan Raval India Tour’s Kolkata stop. It was an enthralling experience for the audience, especially the Blue Family Members. We had meticulously taken care of each and every aspect, including production, security and the entire management. It was probably the best gift we could offer to Calcutta on the occasion of Valentine’s Day,” said Mazhar Badgujar (right), founder, Green Entertainment Production Pvt. Ltd. “A lot of planning and comprehensive management is required to execute an event of this stature and I’m glad we achieved it successfully,” added Sutirtha Bhattacharjee (left), event organiser.