Bhubaneswar, Mar 5: Padma Shri Hariharan, the iconic playback singer, captivated the audience with his extraordinary performance of Radha Krishna's Holi celebrations yesterday. Held at the Rabindra Mandap, the evening’s show began with Hariharan's enchanting rendition of the ghazal "Rasiya Tu Aaja Kahna Nadiya Kinare." His melodious voice filled the air as the audience, filled with music lovers, applauded in unison, creating an electrifying atmosphere at the venue.

Hariharan continued to mesmerize the crowd by singing iconic Holi-themed ghazals like "Aisi Holi Na Khelo Khane Niyar," "Bhari Pichkari Mare Mukh Par Maret He," and "Log Kehete He Ajana Vi Bhali," each captivating the listeners with its unique and soulful expression. The atmosphere became even more magical as he sang songs like "More Apne Hi Rang Me Rang Do" and "Kas Aisa Koi Manzar Hota" along with his iconic ghazals "Mere Kandhe Pe Tera Sar Hota." The music lovers at the venue were immersed in the blissful experience of hearing Hariharan sing his classics in his signature style.

Hariharan's career has been a journey of continuous success, starting from the 80s, with his hit songs composed by Hari Prasad Chaurasia. His fame grew further with the iconic song "Ye Lamhe Ye Pal Barse Yaad Karege" from the 1995 film Roza and his contribution to the music of Tuhire in 1995. His performance at this Holi event in 2026 was nothing short of magical, leaving a lasting memory for all the music enthusiasts present.

Prior to Hariharan’s performance, students from the Vrindavan Gurukul astounded the audience with a mesmerizing group performance of the flute, showcasing music they themselves had composed. Later, Hari Prasad Chaurasia presented the famous Holi song "Rang Barse Bhege Chuneira" composed by Amitabh Bachchan. The Gurukul students played the flute to this beloved tune, adding their own magical touch to the celebration.

The event also saw music lovers from different corners of the world coming together to witness this extraordinary performance. The Vrindavan Gurukul honored Hariharan by gifting him a special Khanda Paat, a revered item from Lord Jagannath’s temple, as a token of appreciation. The event was further graced by the presence of several esteemed guests, including ITIAR Director Manas Malik and renowned business engineer Prashant Acharya, who were felicitated for their contributions.

This remarkable celebration was organized by the Vrindavan Gurukul in collaboration with the Department of Oriya Language, Literature, and Culture, making it an event to remember for all who attended.