In pictures: Artistes pay tribute to Lata Mangeshkar at World Music Day concert

2/11

Padma Vibhushan-awardee Ustad Amjad Ali Khan created magic with his sarod in the first performance of the evening. The maestro performed Raga Ganesh Kalyan, followed by ‘Kon Khela Je Khelbo Kokhon’ and ‘Ekla Cholo Re’, accompanied by the father-son duo of Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and Anubrata Chatterjee on the tabla. “Though we called Lataji, ‘Didi’, she became goddess Saraswati in her lifetime and we were fortunate to spend time with her. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesh, and honoured me with the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for Ganesh Kalyan,” he said, after the crowd gave him a standing ovation

3/11

Anwesshaa had the Herculean task of following Ustad Amjad’s performance. The singer, who has lent her voice to over 500 films and sung in 13 regional languages, gave a scintillating rendition of ‘Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat’. “This edition of World Music Day is special because it's dedicated to Lataji. It is an honour for me to sing her song,” she said

4/11

Padma Shri awardee Shubha Mudgal expressed her joy in performing before a Kolkata audience after a long hiatus by singing ‘Yeh Neer Kahan Se Barse Hai’. “I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be in this city where music and arts are deeply loved, after two devastating years. I was really nervous to sing a song by Lataji, an artiste who I have loved and adored, and whose loss I have grieved,” she said

5/11

Subhamita picked up the tempo with her electric rendition of ‘Bolbo Na Kotha Tomar Sathe Ari’. “Lataji is a pride for Indians, just like the Taj Mahal. I will always say ‘uni aachen’, not ‘chhilen’, because she will be there as long as Indian music is,” she said

6/11

Ustad Rashid Khan brought a sense of melancholy to the arena with ‘Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon’. “Today is a big day for us artistes, because Sourendro-Soumyojit always teaches us something new with their concerts. They have been harassing me with these new learnings for several years now,” he laughed

7/11

Some of the loudest cheers of the evening were reserved for Hariharan, who walked in with a smile and charmed the audience with his fusion version of ‘O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayee’. After the song, the audience’s unending chants of “Once more!” made him break into the opening lines of ‘Tu Hi Re’

8/11

Usha Uthup was visibly emotional when the full-house greeted her, and thanked the audience for supporting live music. “Every day is World Music Day for musicians, but Sourendro and Soumyojit make it extra special. I had the privilege of singing this song for Lataji on her 75th birthday, and I have goosebumps right now,” she said, before making the audience tap their feet to ‘Bindiya Chamkegi Chudi Khankegi’

9/11

Papon voiced his nervousness over trying to do justice to one of Lata Mangeshkar’s most popular songs, 'Lag Jaa Gale'. Judging by the crowd’s enthusiasm, he accomplished the feat with flying colours

10/11

Sourendro and Soumyojit saved the best for last, as all the legends took to the stage together to end the show on ‘Rahen Na Rahen’. As the final lines were intercut with Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, it felt like she truly was there

11/11

Science City Auditorium became an antidote to the cloudy sky outside, as two thousand people illuminated the stage with their flashes to remember the nightingale of India