BY SONAM MIRPURI
LOS ANGELES, CA – ‘Queen of Melody’ Alka Yagnik rocked Los Angeles in a concert attended by hundreds of her fans on Nov 15 at the Aratani Theatre to celebrate over 30 years in the industry and to give fans a live sneak peak of the latest addition to her career, her newest song, “Agar Tum Saath Ho” which she sang...
LOS ANGELES, CA – ‘Queen of Melody’ Alka Yagnik rocked Los Angeles in a concert attended by hundreds of her fans on Nov 15 at the Aratani Theatre to celebrate over 30 years in the industry and to give fans a live sneak peak of the latest addition to her career, her newest song, “Agar Tum Saath Ho” which she sang...
in the film “Tamasha” with Arijit Singh. First Class Limousine and Tisha Entertainment Inc. hosted the show. Ashok Mishra, a finalist from ‘Laughter Express,’ came on stage to crack a few jokes and introduced Chetan Rana, the opening act of the night.“Muskurane Ki Wajah” from “City Lights” and “Tum Hi Ho” from “Aashiqui 2” were the first two songs Rana sang, dedicated to the audience. Both songs were originally sung by Arijit Singh. The latter highly popular song got the audience cheering.
Rana then went on to please the older generation with“Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani” and “Jaane Jaan Dhoondhta Phir Raha” from Randhir Kapoor’s “Jawani Diwani.” After a brief video introduction of Yagnik’s
background and an innumerous amount of compliments from her fellow industry musical greats such as A. R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Jatin Pandit, Lalit Pandit, Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Himesh Reshammiya to name a few, Yagnik, started humming the tune of her opening song for the night from backstage.
Coming on to the stage in a yellow anarkali with gold embroidery, Yagnik was welcomed by the audience with loud cheers off the top of their lungs and thunderous clapping which got louder as she sang the title song from “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”
Yagnik had originally sung this song with Udit Narayan. Once her first song of the night was complete, Yagnik welcomed on stage composer Jatin Pandit from the Jatin-Latin composing duo, who also happened to have composed the “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” album.
Requesting that all couples hold hands she sang“You Are My Soniya” from the movie “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.” Unfortunately, as per Yagnik’s observation, none of the couples held hands while she sang.
Yagnik continued her set list and sang one of her favorite songs. “Raah Mein Unse Mulaquat Ho Gayi” from the movie “Vijaypath.”
Bringing the track list to a more recent song, Yagnik sang “Aaja Ve Mahi” from “Fida” which was followed by “Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikhla” from the movie “Zakhm.” Knowing that unfortunately she will not be able to sing all of the songs from her over three decade long career, Yagnik sang a medley of some of her popular songs. This medley consisted of about 15 songs. The first song of the remix was the song that launched her on her career “Mere Angne Mein” from the film “Laawaris.”
Yagnik continued to sing a variety of slow and fast songs like “Paalkhi Mein Hoke Sawar Chali Re” from the movie “Khal Nayak,” “Dekha Hai Pehli Baar” from the film “Saajan.”
Continuing the medley she sang “Chhama Chhama” from the movie “China Gate.” The audience raved at this song because it was the first upbeat track in the mash-up. “Taal Se Taal Mila” was the next song of Yagnik’s choice. She sang this with Sujata Trivedi and Udit Narayan. An infamous track from “Raja Hindustani” was the next song Yagnik sang titled “Poocho Zara Poocho.” Hearing the introductory beats of this track the audience started cheering instantly recognizing this song.
At times when Yagnik needed a male singer for the duets, one of the guitarists joined her in singing. In addition to “Aisi Deewangi” the guitarist sang “Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye”. Closing out the medley, Yagnik sang two songs from “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, “Suraj Hua Madam” and “Bole Chudiyan.”
Taking a break from singing, the audience once again welcomed Ashok Mishra, comedian, who came on to entertain with his jokes.
Anis Chandani, soon to be music director, came on stage after the intermission to play instrumental music on the flute backed by the band. Rana then made a reappearance to sing “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar.”
Mishra was back on stage to welcome Yagnik once again after the intermission to the cheers of the audience who greeted her with great enthusiasm. Yagnik stated that there are two people in her life that have always inspired and motivated her. The first her mother and the second Lata didi (Lata Mangeshkar) who have made her who she is today. Yagnik sang “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh” dedicating it to Lata Mangeshkar.
Continuing the night, Yagnik reintroduced Rana, and together they sang a few songs “Teri Chunariya Dil Le Gayi” and“Baazigar O Baazigar,”“Ghoonghat Ki Aad Se Dil Bar Ka” to which the audience cheered loudly and the last duet “Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana.”
Events like these would not be possible without promoters and sponsors. Yagnik took the time to call some of them on stage to personally thank them. National Promoter, Amrita; First Class Limousine and DSS Outlets’ Mini Lal, and Chado Tea Room’s Reena Shah were those who came on stage. Yagnik then sang “Ek Do Teen” from “Tezaab” . It was also the last time the audience went wild hearing her sing an old favourite. Bringing the night to an end,Yagnik wanting to say see you again rather than good-bye to her fans, sang “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,” in her signature style.
Rana then went on to please the older generation with“Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani” and “Jaane Jaan Dhoondhta Phir Raha” from Randhir Kapoor’s “Jawani Diwani.” After a brief video introduction of Yagnik’s
background and an innumerous amount of compliments from her fellow industry musical greats such as A. R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Jatin Pandit, Lalit Pandit, Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Himesh Reshammiya to name a few, Yagnik, started humming the tune of her opening song for the night from backstage.
Coming on to the stage in a yellow anarkali with gold embroidery, Yagnik was welcomed by the audience with loud cheers off the top of their lungs and thunderous clapping which got louder as she sang the title song from “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”
Yagnik had originally sung this song with Udit Narayan. Once her first song of the night was complete, Yagnik welcomed on stage composer Jatin Pandit from the Jatin-Latin composing duo, who also happened to have composed the “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” album.
Requesting that all couples hold hands she sang“You Are My Soniya” from the movie “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.” Unfortunately, as per Yagnik’s observation, none of the couples held hands while she sang.
Yagnik continued her set list and sang one of her favorite songs. “Raah Mein Unse Mulaquat Ho Gayi” from the movie “Vijaypath.”
Bringing the track list to a more recent song, Yagnik sang “Aaja Ve Mahi” from “Fida” which was followed by “Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikhla” from the movie “Zakhm.” Knowing that unfortunately she will not be able to sing all of the songs from her over three decade long career, Yagnik sang a medley of some of her popular songs. This medley consisted of about 15 songs. The first song of the remix was the song that launched her on her career “Mere Angne Mein” from the film “Laawaris.”
Yagnik continued to sing a variety of slow and fast songs like “Paalkhi Mein Hoke Sawar Chali Re” from the movie “Khal Nayak,” “Dekha Hai Pehli Baar” from the film “Saajan.”
Continuing the medley she sang “Chhama Chhama” from the movie “China Gate.” The audience raved at this song because it was the first upbeat track in the mash-up. “Taal Se Taal Mila” was the next song of Yagnik’s choice. She sang this with Sujata Trivedi and Udit Narayan. An infamous track from “Raja Hindustani” was the next song Yagnik sang titled “Poocho Zara Poocho.” Hearing the introductory beats of this track the audience started cheering instantly recognizing this song.
At times when Yagnik needed a male singer for the duets, one of the guitarists joined her in singing. In addition to “Aisi Deewangi” the guitarist sang “Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye”. Closing out the medley, Yagnik sang two songs from “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, “Suraj Hua Madam” and “Bole Chudiyan.”
Taking a break from singing, the audience once again welcomed Ashok Mishra, comedian, who came on to entertain with his jokes.
Anis Chandani, soon to be music director, came on stage after the intermission to play instrumental music on the flute backed by the band. Rana then made a reappearance to sing “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar.”
Mishra was back on stage to welcome Yagnik once again after the intermission to the cheers of the audience who greeted her with great enthusiasm. Yagnik stated that there are two people in her life that have always inspired and motivated her. The first her mother and the second Lata didi (Lata Mangeshkar) who have made her who she is today. Yagnik sang “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh” dedicating it to Lata Mangeshkar.
Continuing the night, Yagnik reintroduced Rana, and together they sang a few songs “Teri Chunariya Dil Le Gayi” and“Baazigar O Baazigar,”“Ghoonghat Ki Aad Se Dil Bar Ka” to which the audience cheered loudly and the last duet “Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana.”
Events like these would not be possible without promoters and sponsors. Yagnik took the time to call some of them on stage to personally thank them. National Promoter, Amrita; First Class Limousine and DSS Outlets’ Mini Lal, and Chado Tea Room’s Reena Shah were those who came on stage. Yagnik then sang “Ek Do Teen” from “Tezaab” . It was also the last time the audience went wild hearing her sing an old favourite. Bringing the night to an end,Yagnik wanting to say see you again rather than good-bye to her fans, sang “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,” in her signature style.