High quality Bollywood music was on display Friday evening, 21st October, @ the Due Drop events center in Auckland. Popular Bollywood artist Abhijeet Bhattacharya mesmerized the kiwi Indian community, in a spectacular show.

The gig that went on for close to three hours, revived nostalgic memories, for the New Zealand based south Asian ethnic community.

Renowned for his silken voice, Abhijeet was one of the top playback singers during 90’s & the first decade of 2000’s. He had last performed in New Zealand, to a packed house in 2004. He’s recorded over six thousand songs in Hindi films so far, in a career spanning three decades. He’s sung songs in more than 10 languages, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujrati, Odia etc. And has four non film pop albums to his credit as well.

Kicking off the night with the high tempo popular track “Badshah main Badshah” (I’m a king), followed by the very romantic “Bahut khoobsoorat ho” (You are very beautiful).

The audience were spellbound by “Vaada Raha Sanam” (I promise you my beloved), the beautiful melody “from the 90’s blockbuster Khiladi, “Chaand Taare Tod Laayun” (I’ll pluck the stars & the moon) from the super-hit film “Yes Boss”, is one of my personal favorites.

The next number was the very romantic “Suno Na Suno na Sun lo Na” (listen to it), Abhijeet mesmerized the audience with his mellifluous voice. The crowds loved his rendition of some of the very popular Kishore da’s songs, “Musafir hoon Yaaron” & Pyaar Deewana Hota hai”. It was so much fun, as we all were singing along.   Having heard his songs, in films over the years, I must confess, that his voice sounded much the same, as it was 30 years ago.

The crowd enjoyed his interaction with them, in between his songs & especially his anecdotes, about his musical journey & memorable experiences in Bollywood. Post break, Abhijeet belted out more of his melodies. He ended the night with some popular foot tapping numbers “Ole ole” & I’m the Best. The singer invited the one’s keen on dancing. The best part was to see many in the crowd grooving near the stage.

Just like the lines of his beautiful song “Kabhi Yaadon mein Aaoon” (Sometimes appear in memories, sometimes in dreams), Abhijeet’s silken voice will forever be etched in our hearts & the fragrance of this concert will always linger on in our memories for a long time. – Musical Contribution by Perdy Mohindru in New Zealand.