Singers perform on Kishore Kumar’s birth anniversary in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 5: A musical evening dedicated to Kishore Kumar brought a procession of memories for his fans to enjoy on Sunday.

Cultural organisation Babi Anand Group organised the event at Rabindra Mandap. Local singers sang evergreen songs by Kishore to pay tribute to the artiste on his 84th birth anniversary.

The soiree began with artistes Babi Anand and Sharmila crooning Zindagi Pyaar Ka Geet Hai from Soutan. They followed it up with Tum Aa Gaye Ho from Aandhi. Both artistes then teamed up with singers such as Manoj, Bibha and Kumar Anupam to sing memorable numbers such as Saagar Kinare Dil Ye Pukare, Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai, Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuch, Agar Tum Na Hote and the evergreen classic filmed on Dev Anand in Guide — Gata Rahe Mera Dil.

Along with duets, solo renditions too were charming. Anupam was able to bring something fresh to the songs Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho, Chookar Mere Dil Ko and Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna. Babi too tried his best to emulate Kishore while singing O Hansini and Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein. Among the women singers, Sharmila sang Mere Naina Sawan Bhado.

The show concluded on a rather sombre note with Anupam singing Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet Yaad Rakhna.

The audience that mostly comprised fans and followers of Abhas Kumar Ganguly, the original name of Kishore, wished some noted singers had taken part in the event.

“Kishore Kumar was probably the only artiste of his time who could act, direct and compose music with equal élan. Though the singers performed well, I would have loved to hear some big names of Odia music fraternity singing Kishore’s numbers,” said Satyajit Samantray, an avid music enthusiast.

A plus for the audience was Gulshan Nadeem, the anchor of the show, who reeled out a number of facts and anecdotes associated with Kishore Kumar. His jokes and shayari amused the audience.