Utsav performs at GD Birla Sabhagar. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya

Sunday evening saw a vibrant and engaging tribute to showman Raj Kapoor’s tunes at the GD Birla Sabhagar, interpreted through the gifted 15-year-old Utsav Lal’s rendition on the piano. It was a 90-minute long nostalgic trip down memory lane as the talented teenager interspersed his performances with personal anecdotes and references to the RK films.

The melodies ranged from the poignant Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi to the romantic Pyaar hua ikraar hua to an energetic medley of songs from Awara and Aag. A brilliant rendition of Raaga Madhumanti (which, incidentally, was one of Raj Kapoor’s favourite raagas) and the novelty of listening to a raaga through an essentially Western instrument was the high point of the concert. An exuberant Jeena yahan, marna yahan from Mera Naam Joker and the fun-filled Mera joota hai Japani transformed the evening into a journey with the different moods of Raj Kapoor’s films.

“I read a book on Raj Kapoor that got me totally immersed in his cult. Then, I discovered his music and found it extremely rich and eclectic,” explains Utsav. Despite a broken string during an exceptionally spirited performance of the Manna De classic Laaga chunari mein daag, he continued the rest of the show without flinching.

Having broken quite a few records early — his talent got him into the Limca Book of Records, 2007 as a musical genius and child prodigy — Utsav radiates a quiet confidence as his fingers move across the piano keys with remarkable dexterity. Utsav’s aim is to take Indian tunes (both classical and film music) to an international platform. He plays by the ear, without a score or sheet music, giving rise to interesting improvisations.

A student at the DIT Conservatory of Music, Dublin, Utsav has completed his Grade 8 degree in piano and performed at over 50 concerts in India and abroad. With his eclectic training in Hindustani classical, film music, rock, jazz and a strong base in Western classical music, the sky seems to be the limit for Utsav.