Lucknow: The spirit of the monsoon filled Kala Mandapam auditorium on Friday evening as Padma Shri folk singer Malini Awasthi captivated the audience with an evocative performance at ‘A Celebration of Rains: Sawan with Malini Awasthi’. The programme was organised by Sonchiraiya in collaboration with Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.Awasthi, known for her deep connect with folk traditions, took listeners on a musical journey through the many moods of Sawan, presenting a rich selection of thumri, ghazals, kajri and phagwa. Her soulful renditions of ‘Bijli chamke barse meherva’, ‘Garaj garaj mohe aat hi dara e’, ‘San san san bheegi’ and ‘Baagon men pade jhule’ drew repeated applause from the audience. She brought the evening to a memorable close with ‘Barsan laagi bada riya’, leaving listeners immersed in the sounds and emotions of the rainy season.Speaking about the relationship between Sawan and music, Awasthi said, “Sawan is not just a season; it is an emotion that lives in our music, poetry and memories. Its rains awaken a special rhythm within us.”Visitors said the performance captured the romance and nostalgia associated with the monsoon. “The performance felt like Sawan had entered the auditorium,” said Seema Mehta, who attended the event. Another visitor, Aradhya Nigam, said, “Her voice carried the fragrance and romance of the rainy season.”Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya vice-chancellor Prof Mandavi Singh said, “Such programmes play an important role in preserving and celebrating India’s rich musical traditions.” BNA chairperson Rati Shankar Tripathi was also present on the occasion.
