As the sun dipped behind the heritage façades of South Mumbai, music took over the iconic Asiatic Library Steps on Saturday evening, transforming the heart of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival into an open-air concert arena. From Grammy-winning compositions to foot-tapping classics, the back-to-back performances by Ricky Kej and Usha Uthup delivered an unforgettable night of sound, spirit, and shared joy.
Ricky Kej set the tone with sweeping soundscapes
The evening opened at 6 pm with composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej, whose performance unfolded under open skies before an attentive crowd. Joined by his band, including frontman Siddharth Basrur, whom Ricky described as “a total rockstar in every way”, the musician went beyond performing familiar tracks such as Duma Dum Mast Kalandar, Bam Lehri and Jugni Ji, crafting a distinctive sonic journey that paired powerful soundscapes with a visually striking stage presentation.
Known for seamlessly blending orchestral elements with global musical influences, the band delivered an immersive experience, layered, expansive and deeply moving, setting the tone for a memorable night at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.
Usha Uthup brought the city to its feet
If Ricky Kej’s music invited reflection, Usha Uthup’s performance at 8 pm sparked pure celebration. Taking the stage with her trademark warmth and boundless energy, the music icon turned the Asiatic Library Steps into a joyful dance floor, with audiences singing along and swaying to her timeless hits. For Usha, the moment carried deep personal meaning, and she said, “Hi everybody, namaskar, namaskaram, satsriyakaal, salaam alaikum. I'm Usha Uthup and I'm so excited to be a part of Kalagoda one more time, but then I've always been a part of Kalagoda and we are so excited, my band, myself, for being here. It's going to be the first time for me, iconic and historic, being born and brought up in Bombay and then to get an opportunity to be at the Asiatic Library Steps.”
The singer warmly welcomed actress Mrunal Thakur in the audience, who danced along and cheered throughout the performance. Singing in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Italian, Mexican, she performed Skyfall, Hello, Dum Maro Dum, Duniya Mein, Appadi Podu, Senorita, Darling and many more.
Adding to the evening’s sense of nostalgia and camaraderie, she later invited another audience member, singer Sunita Rao, fondly remembered as the voice behind Paree, to join her on stage. Sunita broke into the familiar refrain but altered the lyrics a bit for Usha, singing, “Paree hain yeh…”.
Remarkably, Usha Uthup, who has been performing for 57 years, commanded the stage without any elaborate movement or choreography, seated throughout the entire performance, yet holding the audience spellbound with every word she spoke and sang. The effortless connection and constant interaction with the crowd once again underscored why her presence remains so powerful and enduring.
The evening was filled with music, fun and plenty of dancing, a reminder of why Usha Uthup continues to be one of Mumbai’s most beloved performers.
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