Kamal Ghorui
Mumbai’s St Andrew’s Auditorium in Bandra resonated with the timeless poetry and music of Rabindranath Tagore last week as legendary Rabindrasangeet exponent Rezwana Choudhury Bannya performed to a packed and emotionally charged audience.Returning to the city after a considerable gap, the singer was visibly moved by the reception she received. “I sang in Mumbai after quite a long time. Hence, it feels really great to be back here. Performing onstage in Mumbai has always been a pleasure for me,” she said.The evening quickly turned into a celebration of Tagore’s music and philosophy, with the audience enthusiastically calling out song requests. “Seeing the enthusiasm in the crowd and the song requests that poured in, I feel that the audience present here are deeply rooted with the works and philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore. After such a performance in a city like Mumbai, I am absolutely delighted and thank Mumbaikars for having me. I would love to come back again as the energy here is amazing,” she added.Rezwana, who enjoys a loyal fan following in Mumbai, found it difficult to conclude the evening as repeated requests from the audience urged her to continue. Acknowledging the city’s enduring love for Rabindrasangeet, she remarked that Mumbai holds “a special place” in her heart and praised the “refined taste” reflected in the songs chosen by listeners.The highlight of the evening was her final rendition of “Chirosakha,” which transported the auditorium into near silence, leaving many in a trance-like spell as the last notes lingered.The main concert was preceded by a presentation by Madhugunjan, a group comprising primarily non-Bengali Tagore music enthusiasts, who offered a music-and-dance tribute that set the tone for the soulful night ahead.For Mumbai’s lovers of Rabindrasangeet, it was an evening steeped in nostalgia, reverence and musical transcendence — and one that reaffirmed the city’s enduring bond with Tagore’s legacy.
