Nirja Pandit Regales Atlanta Music Lovers
These days, when most of the music being made in Bollywood is based on fast western beats, it is refreshing to listen to the more traditional Indian music. Music lovers in Atlanta got exactly such an opportunity when an up-and-coming talented vocalist from India, Mrs. Nirja Pandit, performed in Atlanta on Friday, June 28, 2002. The musical program was organized under the auspices of Kashmir Overseas Association.
Nirja Pandit, who hails from Pampore, the saffron rich village in Kashmir, India, is a very versatile and gifted singer who has evolved her own style of singing over the years.
Besides extensive classical training and background, Nirja has lately received recognition in commercial TV and cinema as well. Her commercial credits include title songs in TV serials such as 'Tere Mere Sapne', 'Chahat aur Nafrat', 'Shapath', 'Sarhad', 'Noor Jahan', 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam', 'Maya', 'Rishte ', 'Hanste Khelte', 'Papa Kehtey Hai' and 'Muqammal'. Nirja has recorded songs for Hindi feature films 'Khoobsurat', 'Meri Zameen', 'Indian Babu' and 'Yeh Dil' among others.
In Atlanta, Nirja treated the music lovers and connoisseurs to a delightful evening of bhajans, songs and ghazals in a variety of different languages, which included Sanskrit, Hindi, Kashmiri, Rajasthani, Sindi and Punjabi. Her rendering of the folk songs and popular ghazals were particularly impressive and delightful. The entire audience of about 150 was on its feet when Nirja sang the original (and authentic) Kashmiri folk melodies, 'Bhumbro Bhumbro' and 'Rinde Poshmal', which were popularized by the Hindi movie, Mission Kashmir. Nirja was accompanied on tabla by a local talent, Chetan Vyas of Duluth, who made a great effort to adapt to the style of such a gifted and versatile singer. Ashoo Bagati, managed the sound and music effects.
Nirja Pandit's mellifluous voice and the ambience in the auditorium from the passionate music lovers of Atlanta resulted in a memorable musical night for all present.
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