CROWD-PULLER Shreya Ghoshal The celebrated singer dazzles Nagpur with unprecedented house-full concert; Entry gates closed as early as 5.30 pm; Pass-holders sent back, enjoyed concert on LED screens outside

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tenth day of the ‘Khasdar Cultural Festival–2025’ turned out to be a musical spectacle of the year as celebrated playback singer Shreya Ghoshal cast a mesmerising spell over Nagpur. Her rendition of the popular track ‘Apne Hi Rang Mein Tujhko Rang De...’ from movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag set the tone for an evening that left thousands enthralled. The venue, Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education ground, witnessed a rare house-full crowd, marking it one of the festival’s biggest turnouts. Ghoshal, who last performed at the festival two years ago, expressed deep affection for the city. “Nagpur audiences are knowledgeable and discerning.

 

 

It makes song selection both challenging and exciting. I am grateful to Nitin Gadkari for inviting me again,” she said. Taking the stage to thunderous applause, Ghoshal began with ‘Sun Raha Hai Na Tu...’. When the audience illuminated the venue with their mobile flashlights, she remarked that it felt as if “stars had descended upon the earth.” Her playlist blended Hindi favourites like ‘Tum Kya Mile..,’ ‘Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai..,’ ‘O Rangrez..,’ ‘Deewani Mastani..,’ ‘Manwa Lage..,’ ‘Pinga..,’ ‘Barso Re..’ with Marathi hits including ‘Jeev Dangala..’ and ‘Behrala Ha Madhumas...’ Ghoshal was felicitated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, accompanied by her co-performer Kinjal Chatterjee, during a brief interval. Speaking warmly of composers Ajay–Atul before performing ‘Jeev Rangla..’ she recalled how the duo won a National Award for their debut film. Earlier, the evening began with lamp-lighting by Nitin Gadkari, Adv Ashish Jaiswal, Kanchan Gadkari, and editors of major media houses including Partha Mitra (The Times of India), Shripad Aparajit (Maharashtra Times), Ramesh Kulkarni (Punya Nagari), and Shailesh Pande (Tarun Bharat), among others. Local talent too shone on the grand stage—guitarist Piyush Bhute and performers from the Pralay Band set the mood with Ganesh Vandana, earning praise and felicitation. In a heartfelt message, Nitin Gadkari thanked citizens for a decade of overwhelming support to the festival, acknowledging the disappointment of those unable to enter due to overcrowding and assuring improved arrangements in future editions.