Chandigarh, December 19 : Pathos and pain of legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Batalvi’s poetry came alive through the soulful voice of Rinku Kalia, eminent vocalist and winner of Zee TV’s highest-rated musical show “Sa Re Ga Ma”, at a specially-designed “Birha Da Sultan—a musical tribute to Shiv Batalvi” at the SD College Auditorium here today.
Presented by the GGDSD College Society, S-4 Trust, Department of Information, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs, Haryana and the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, the over two-hour concert saw the eminent singer belt out some of the popular songs and ghazals of the late poet to a houseful elite audience.
“Raat gayi kar taara taara”, “shikher dupher sir te”, “peedan da paraaga”, “jaach mainu aa gayi”, “shikra yaar” and “koi bol we mukhon bol” were some of the compositions sung by the vocalist even as a discerning audience hungered for more. Earlier, Harish Puri and SD Sharma, close associates of Shiv’s family, spoke about late poet’s life and times.
Welcoming Vijay Dev, Adviser to UT Administrator, and Surjit Patar, eminent Punjabi poet, who were chief guest and guest of honour, respectively, Upkar Krishan Sharma, president of the GGDSD College Society, shared his family’s close association, especially that of his father and former Punjab minister Pt. Mohan Lal, with Shiv Batalvi.
Prof Rajpal Singh compered the show with admirable competence.