Ajay-Atul create magic in a record-breaking finale to ‘Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025’

 

 

 

The final day of the ‘Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025’ turned Ishwar Deshmukh College Ground, Hanuman Nagar, into a storm of music, devotion and unrestrained euphoria as Maharashtra’s most iconic musical duo, Ajay-Atul, delivered a historic performance that Nagpur will remember for years. Long before the event began, their unparalleled craze had already taken over the city. By 3 pm, three hours before the scheduled 6 pm show, the roads leading to the Ishwar Deshmukh College were choked.

 

A sea of people surged towards the venue, leaving not an inch of space to walk, while thousands more crowded around the giant screens outside, blocking even the adjoining roads. Inside the massive ground, not a single patch of earth was visible. Nagpur had come prepared to erupt, and when the duo finally took the stage, the city obeyed. The atmosphere, crackling with anticipation, exploded the moment the opening chorus ‘Jai Jai Survar Pujit’ reverberated through the speakers. A surge of energy swept across the field, and when the tune of ‘Natrang Ubha’ began, the thunderous roar from the audience felt almost seismic. Ajay-Atul walked onto the stage to deafening applause. Visibly moved by the overwhelming turnout, they fondly recalled their bond with Nagpur.

 

“Nagpur gave us extraordinary love during our first concert in 2009. Last year, we told Gadkariji that we wished to return. We are grateful that he invited us for the grand finale this year. Nagpur’s blessings always give us the strength to create more,” they said, extending special gratitude to the thousands who stood outside the gates, unable to enter but unwilling to leave. The electrifying tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through the powerful ‘Indra Jimmi Jambh Par’ transformed the venue into a battlefield of chants, ‘Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji’ echoing across the Contd from page 1 neighbourhood. The devotional section that followed, ‘Malhar Wari’, ‘Udhe Ga Ambe Udhe’, ‘Aai Bhavani’, ‘Gondhal Mandala Bhavani’, ‘Ka Ya Nadichya Palyad’, blended spirituality with grandeur, turning the open ground into a living temple of music, faith and frenzy.

 

The momentum never dipped. Manish and Nihira set the stage aflame with ‘Jeev Dangla’, while Rishikesh Ranade’s renditions of ‘Mere Naam Tu’, ‘Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin’ and ‘Man Udhan Varyache’ brought waves of emotion through the packed grounds. Nagpur’s own, Sharyu Date, performed ‘Dhadak Hai Na’ with Ajay, adding a burst of hometown pride to the evening. Then came the avalanche everyone had been waiting for, Ajay-Atul’s blockbuster hits. ‘Khel Mandla’, ‘Apsara Aali’, ‘Wajle Ki Bara’, ‘Amba Bai Cha Gondhal’, ‘Attacha Bayaa’, ‘Sairat Zhala Ji’, and finally, the anthem that sent Nagpur into a collective frenzy, ‘Zingaat’. Thousands jumped, danced, shouted and cried with joy, waving phone flashlights and posters that turned the night sky into a shimmering galaxy. By every measure, crowd size, energy, cultural participation and public sentiment, the finale was nothing short of a phenomenon.

 

The event began with a lamp lighting ceremony led by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Hyundai India’s Executive Director Geojik Lee, MLAs Sumit Wankhede and Sameer Kunawar, ex-MPs Ajay Sancheti and Sunil Mendhe, ex MLA Milind Mane, MLC Parinay Fuke, Nana Shamkule and others. The evening was anchored by Bal Kulkarni and Renuka Deshkar. The meticulous planning and execution of the festival were credited to Organising Committee Chairman Anil Sole, Vice-President Dr Gaurishankar Parashar, Ashok Mankar, Dilip Jadhav, Secretary Jayprakash Gupta, Treasurer Prof. Rajesh Bagdi and an extensive team of dedicated members, whose collective effort ensured a spectacular 12-day celebration. 

 

 

While addressing the audience, Nitin Gadkari announced that global icons such as Shreya Ghoshal, Ajay-Atul, Vishal Mishra and Shankar Mahadevan have already graced the Mahotsav, and efforts are now underway to bring the youth icon Arijit Singh to this grand platform. His announcement triggered a wave of euphoric cheering. He acknowledged that even this vast venue is becoming insufficient for the crowds, recalling with regret how many could not be accommodated during Shreya Ghoshal’s performance. Gadkari expressed gratitude to the partnering organisations, emphasising that the Mahotsav has now transcended national boundaries, having been watched by millions globally through social media, giving it a truly international stature.