Vinod Rathod performs in the city

March 7: From Khalnayak to Munnabhai MBBS, Vinod Rathod sang all with equal elan, leaving the audience screaming for more.

The singer enthralled a capacity crowd at the 11th international Guwahati trade fair on Friday night. The singer was equally thrilled with the response of the jiving Guwahatians.

“The idea of performing at a musical extravaganza in a international trade fair was unique. Performing in front of the representatives of the countries like Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran was an experience of a lifetime for me,” Rathod said.

Amid the psychedelic show and a teeming multitude, the singer appeared in his usual playful style, garbed in a bad man’s black robe, and took the crowd by storm with his title song for Khalnayak that shot him to fame.

The next couple of hours were sheer bliss for the audience, who witnessed a maddening display of hip-swinging jive of the youngsters with the vivacious Rathod dancing and singing on the stage. “It was great to perform in Guwahati, especially because the people are very receptive and lively here,” beamed the singer.

This is Rathod’s third visit to Assam. His first visit was at a musical extravaganza during Bihu eight years ago. The soiree is still vivid in his mind. “My first sojourn to this picturesque place dates back to a colourful celebration on the occasion of Bihu. That night will always hold a special place in my heart, as I had to perform in the wee hours at 3.30 am. But the cheer and applause of the audience coaxed me into performing till morning,” reminisced the singer.

Rathod has carved a niche for himself with several chartbusters. Son of music aficionado Pandit Chhaturbhuj Rathod, Vinod received the basic training in vocal music from his father and started his journey into the world of music in 1986 after graduating from Lala Lajpat Rai College. However, in spite of his background and being the brother of Shravan Rathod (of Nadeem-Shravan fame), who himself was a newcomer at that time, he had to struggle to make a mark.

“I had to struggle all through to find a berth for myself. I was lucky enough to get the break in Yash Chopra’s multi-starrer Vijay back in 1988. Since then there was no looking back. Offers for films like Chandni and Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja kept pouring in,” he said.

Rathod, who idolises Kishore Kumar, has worked with all the top musicians of Mumbai like Lakshmikant Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Annu Malik and Ismail Durbar.

Among his various sojourns, Assam holds a special place in his heart. “I become enamoured with the picturesque lush green, the rugged hills and the mighty Brahmaputra every time I visit the place.

“This place is close to my heart because of the warmth and hospitality of the people here,” said the star, adding that people outside the region should realise that Assam was beautiful and as peaceful as any other state.