Dilip Guha, New Delhi ★ Sasraya News: Renowned vocalist Piyali Halder of Delhi NCR, an A-grade artist of Akashvani and Doordarshan, recently graced a music program organised by Impresario India titled “Nana Rong er Gaan” with a soul-stirring performance that showcased her remarkable versatility and emotive depth.
The event was held at the India International Centre’s prestigious CD Deshmukh Auditorium last Sunday evening.
Piyali, best known for her renditions of Nazrul Geeti—songs based on the compositions of Kazi Nazrul Islam— captivated the audience with her expressive interpretations of these powerful, poetic works. The evening’s repertoire also included select pieces from Bengali Adhunik songs from the Golden era, where her nuanced delivery and lyrical sensitivity brought out the timeless beauty of modern music. Seamlessly transitioning into Hindi melodies and ghazal numbers, she demonstrated equal command and execution, leaving listeners enthralled by her ability to embody diverse musical traditions with grace and authenticity. Now also serving as a teacher, Piyali shared brief insights into the stylistic richness of Bengali music, reflecting her commitment to nurturing young talent and preserving cultural heritage. The program was a celebration of melody, emotion, and tradition, and her performance was met with heartfelt appreciation from an audience deeply moved by the evening’s artistic resonance.
The musicians who accompanied her in the evening were Anirudh Chowdhury on Keyboard, Ashim Das on tabla, Mintal Gazi on Guitar and Amaresh Chakravorty on Octopad. With the unique efforts and skills of these artists, through various experiments, the audience had the opportunity to witness the familiar tunes of the music on the stage. Undoubtedly, for most music lovers, their performance and the audience’s reception of it were both simple and enjoyable.
To mention, the evening’s repertoire opened with a selection of iconic Nazrul Geeti compositions—’Shyama Namer Laglo Agun,’ ‘Se Chole Geche Bole Ki Go,’ ‘Srijon Chhonde Anonde,’ and ‘Jhum Jhum Jhomra Nach Nechey Ke Elo Go’—each rendered with heartfelt emotion and impeccable technical mastery, setting a deeply evocative tone for the performance.
Piyali then transitioned into a selection of Bengali modern songs from the golden era, including timeless pieces like “O Chand Samle Rakho’, ‘Bone Noy Mone Mor (1958), ‘Amar Deep Nevano Raat, ‘Jodi Kichu Amare Sudhao, ‘Tomar Duchokhe amar swapno anka (1957), ‘Jole Nebo Na” and a few other numbers, where her expressive delivery and nuanced phrasing captivated the audience.
The evening concluded with a selection of Hindi music melodies and ghazals, including ‘Piya Baawari’ (1980), ‘Ranjish Hi Sahi,’ and ‘Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo.’ A heartfelt tribute was paid to Smt. Lata Mangeshkar Ji through timeless classics such as ‘Piya Tose Naina Lage Re,’ ‘Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum,’ ‘Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai,’ and ‘Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai,’ among others. These renditions showcased the artist’s remarkable versatility and command over diverse musical traditions. Her emotive expression and compelling stage presence during these performances were equally commendable, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The program was not just a musical recital but a celebration of Bengali identity and poetic tradition. Piyali Halder’s voice served as a bridge between generations, echoing the timeless spirit of Kazi Nazrul Islam and modern Bengali songs. Her effortless transition across genres—from Nazrul Geeti to Modern Bengali songs to Hindi melodies—demonstrated her artistic range and deep emotional connection with the audience. The organisers expressed heartfelt gratitude for her presence and contribution to the cultural landscape.
