ABU DHABI – In a captivating celebration of Indian musical heritage, the UAE-born cultural organization Malhaar launched its inaugural Malhaar Baithak in the capital city on January 16. The event featured an immersive 90-minute musical journey honoring the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar’s extraordinary seven-decade career.
Held at the Indian Embassy Auditorium, the performance strategically coincided with India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations. The carefully curated repertoire spanned Mangeshkar’s most beloved compositions, including timeless classics such as ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh,’ ‘Lag Ja Gale,’ ‘Dekha To Yeh Khwab, Tere Mere Honthon Pe,’ and the cherished ‘Lukachuppi.’ The musical homage concluded powerfully with the devotional piece ‘O Paalanhaare’ from the acclaimed film Lagaan.
Distinguishing itself from conventional concerts, the Malhaar Baithak incorporated audience participation as a fundamental element. Throughout the evening, the ensemble actively encouraged attendees to join in singing familiar refrains, transforming the venue into a resonant chorus of shared nostalgia and collective musical experience.
The performers adopted an innovative educational approach, seamlessly integrating spontaneous ‘micromasterclasses’ within the performance flow. Artists periodically paused to deconstruct complex musical phrases, breaking down intricate note patterns and ornamentations in an accessible, engaging manner that both educated and entertained the diverse audience.
Jogiraj Sikidar, Founder and Director of Malhaar, emphasized the organization’s philosophical approach: ‘Malhaar Baithak has always been imagined as more than a concert. It represents a cultural space where multiple generations of families converge to sing together, reminisce, and reconnect through music that has soundtracked their lives across decades.’
The Abu Dhabi debut follows the format’s remarkable success in Dubai, where it has drawn capacity crowds through over fifty houseful concerts. Looking forward, Malhaar Baithak has announced an ambitious schedule of twelve performances across the UAE in 2026, with six events planned in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The next scheduled performance on February 6 will celebrate Valentine’s month with a special edition dedicated to the cinematic romance of filmmaker Yash Chopra and the enduring musical legacy of Yash Raj Films.