Udit Narayan performs at Puri beach. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14: Puri beach was crowded on Thursday, but it was not the surging waves that drew the people there. A mesmerising musical event on the beach was drawing listeners in hordes.

Visitors to the holy town were taken by surprise as their trip to Lord Jagannath’s abode was also greeted by the melodious voice of Udit Narayan. Organised by Srikhetra Youth Cultural Association on the occasion of Kumar Utsav, the 32nd edition of the three-day cultural programme concluded on Thursday.

With his melodious voice, Narayan transported the audience to the Papa kehte hain’ days, one of the singer’s first superhit tracks. His other performances included popular songs from films such as Lagaan, Tere Naam, Raja Hindustani, Darr and Jo Jita Wohi Sikandar.

The singer, who has lent his voice to several hit tracks in Oriya films and albums, rendered some hit Oriya songs for his fans here. The audience swayed to songs such as Sadhaba bahu lo, Srabana re srabana and bhajans such as Chulbuliya natkhatiya.

“I have always received a lot of love and affection from the people of Orissa. The love for music of people here has always drawn me towards the state. I have sung several songs in Oriya and feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with eminent music directors and singers of the state,” said Narayan.

Reality show winners Debojit Saha and Janki also had the audience’s tapping their feet to popular Hindi film tracks. The crowd started shaking a leg as Debojit sang some of the most successful and peppy Hindi films tracks such as Tere mast mast do nain, Dil mein baji guitar, Bachna ae haseeno and Chand sifarish.

The crowd burst into applause as the Indian Idol winner went on to sing Dhinka chika.

Debajyoti’s rendition of the Oriya classic Abhimaanini amaniya dheu also won the listeners’ appreciation.

“We were here for a holiday and were planning to return today. Thankfully, we stayed back or else we would have missed this wonderful show,” said Kanta Jha, a visitor from Bokaro.

Singer Janki also stole the audience’s heart with some lively songs of Asha Bhonsle such as Jawaane janemaan and Aap jaisa koi mere zindagi mein aaye. Sulagna Routroy played the perfect host with her witty and smart comments.

Minister of panchayati raj, Maheswar Mohanty, one of the organizers, was present among the audience. The event that continued till late at night saw no signs of the crowd letting up. In fact, as the

night grew longer, the musical grew.