By — Dilip Guha

 For over a decade, Swarchhanda has earned acclaim for transforming music into immersive thematic experiences. On Sunday, 12 July 2026, the cultural collective fulfilled one of its most cherished artistic aspirations with a marathon musical tribute honouring the iconic female playback singers whose voices defined the golden era of Bollywood cinema.

The event was titled Yaad Kiya Dil Né... A Classic Revival – celebrating the timeless melodies of 40 Legendary Female Voices of Bollywood (1940s-1970s) hosted by it at the Bipin Chandra Pal Auditorium in Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, the concert transported audiences through decades of timeless melodies, celebrating the extraordinary women whose songs became an inseparable part of India’s cultural memory. More than a nostalgic musical evening, the production paid homage to the artistry, grace, and emotional depth that these legendary voices brought to generations of film lovers.

The concert reflected Swarchhanda’s signature approach of weaving music, storytelling, and cultural history into a thoughtfully curated experience, reaffirming its reputation as one of Delhi-NCR’s most respected platforms for thematic musical productions.

Founded by Subrangshu Chakravarty, Swarchhanda is a non-profit, non-commercial cultural initiative dedicated to preserving, promoting and reimagining India’s rich musical heritage, with a special emphasis on Bengal’s enduring artistic traditions. Guided by the belief that culture thrives when it is celebrated, shared and passed on, the organisation has built a vibrant community of artists, scholars and audiences over the past decade—the event, conceived and directed by Subrangshu Chakravarty—the creative force behind Swarchhanda’s decade-long legacy. The Hindi melody songs concert stood as a testament to his vision of blending tradition with fresh voices, bringing emotional depth and generational harmony to the stage.

Its initiatives include the Swarchhanda Choir, an intergenerational ensemble nurturing young talent while preserving India’s musical traditions; Swarchhanda Concerts, which present carefully curated productions that blend music, literature, theatre, and storytelling; and Swarchhanda Conversations, a digital interview series documenting the lives and insights of eminent musicians and cultural personalities.

Over the years, Swarchhanda has presented acclaimed productions spanning Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Indian classical music, Bengali modern songs and Bollywood retrospectives. Its performances have been hosted by prominent cultural institutions and organisations, including All India Radio, Doordarshan, Rajya Sabha TV, Bengal Association, CR Park Bangiya Samaj, CR Park Kali Mandir Society, Muktadhara Auditorium and New Delhi Kali Bari, besides numerous cultural festivals.

Driven by a vision to create one of India’s most respected cultural platforms—where tradition meets innovation and every performance tells a story—Swarchhanda continues to unite audiences across generations, languages and geographies through the enduring power of music.

Where Heritage Finds Its Voice is not merely the organisation’s tagline—it is a philosophy that resonates through every performance, preserving the past while inspiring future generations.

For the last ten years, Swarchhanda has been creating thematic concerts that celebrate music in different forms. Yet, deep within the founder lay a dream—to step beyond familiar boundaries and create something that would belong to every music lover, irrespective of language or background.

That dream came alive on Sunday. For the very first time, Swarchhanda presented a musical journey dedicated to the unforgettable women whose voices had shaped the golden era of Bollywood. From Kanan Devi and Rajkumari, through the timeless brilliance of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, to the beautiful melodies of Hemlata, Preeti Sagar, and many more, the concert paid tribute to over 40 legendary female playback singers whose songs had become part of everyday life.

These were not merely songs. They were memories. The evening was not merely entertainment—it was a collective act of remembrance, evoking cherished memories of radios, Doordarshan classics, family gatherings, and timeless melodies that continue to bind generations together.

They reminded audiences of parents softly humming in the kitchen, grandparents tuning into the radio, Sunday afternoons with black-and-white classics on Doordarshan, the anticipation of Chitrahaar, family gatherings, first loves, quiet evenings, and countless moments that time had never erased.

The concert featured esteemed choirs including Anondodhoni, Gurgaon, with Mahua Ghosh; Sanjato Dattaa Roy, Anuradha Joardar, and Sudeshna Majumder; Antarik with Jhuma Roy; Ichchhe Bitanwith Nabanita Chatterjee and Siddhartha Bhadury; and Swarchhanda – Ek Sangeetotsav, the hosts for the evening.

Solo performances were delivered by Piyali Halder, Rajarshi Debray, Madhumita Sarkar, Subhashish Ghosh, Amritaa Das, Moumita Kundu, Prantik Basu, Kasturika Mishra, Santanu Chakravarty, Chandrika Dutta, Archisha Basu, Nilannjana Ghosh, Swarlipi Sengupta, Srima Pal, Pinaki Patra, Bhaswati Chakravorty, Shayanti Arora, Rohit Kumar Halder, and Partha Chanda.

Music arrangements were entrusted to renowned musician Anirudh Chowdhury and his team, who recreated the original compositions across more than 60 songs, ensuring authenticity and emotional resonance.

The programme began with a heartfelt tribute to singers of the golden era of Hindi cinema and Legendary playback singer S. Janaki ji, who passed away yesterday.  Over a career spanning 6 decades, she lent her voice to more than 45,000 songs in 17 languages and truly became the voice of an entire generation.  The tribute was marked with the timeless song:  “Dil mein ho tum, aankhon mein tum, bolo tumhe kaise bhooloon”, Her legacy is eternal, and her songs will continue to inspire millions for years to come. 

Anondodhoni Gurugram Cultural Society, a Gurgaon-based cultural group, has been actively promoting Bengal’s musical heritage in the NCR since 2014 through curated performances and artistic collaborations.  At the concert, their soulful renditions blended classical discipline with emotional depth. Their renditions of songs — _“Babuji Dheere Chalna”_, _“Aaj Kal Tere Mere Sapne”_, and _“Rahe  Na Rahe Hum”_ — reflected the richness of Hindi compositions while honouring the performers’ commitment to preserving timeless melodies.  

Solo artists also rendered old melodies with excellence; to name a few, Subhasish and his sister won hearts with their sweet performance of _“Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka”_, beautifully celebrating the bond between brother and sister.

Versatile solo artist Piyali Halder beautifully enthralled the audience at the concert with a soulful selection of timeless classics. She rendered _“Piya Aiso Jiya Mein”_ from _Geeta Gutt_ (1962), _“Man Anand Chhayo”_, made iconic by Asha Bhosle (1982), and _“Roz Sham Aati Thi”_, immortalised by Lata Mangeshkar (1974). Each song was delivered with grace and depth, showcasing Piyali’s range, emotional nuance, and ability to bring vintage melodies alive for today’s listeners.

One of the most moving highlights of the programme was ANTARIK, a group of specially-abled children whose performance captured the true spirit of inclusion. Coordinated by Jhuma Roy Chowdhury, the young artists earned heartfelt applause for their confidence, musicality, and expressive delivery. They presented three soulful compositions — _“Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani”_, _“Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam”_, and _“Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe”_ — blending technical finesse with deep emotion. Their act stood as a powerful reminder that music transcends limitations, turning into a shared language of joy, resilience, and creativity.

The Kids wing of Ichchhe Bitan Group won hearts yesterday with a charming performance of yesteryear kids’ songs. The stage came alive as the children sang and danced to timeless classics like _“Lakdi ki kathi, kaathi pe ghora”_ and other retro favourites, bringing back sweet memories for the audience.

Their energy, expressions, and teamwork made it one of the most loved acts of the day. Parents in the crowd were seen clapping and recording, with many joining in to hum along.

Speaking about the performance, their mentor Nabanita shared:  “We wanted the kids to connect with the songs we grew up on. Seeing them enjoy _‘Lakdi ki kaathi’_ with so much joy reminded us why these songs are timeless.”

Another mentor, Siddhartha, added:  “It wasn’t just about singing. It was about passing on culture, rhythm, and happiness. The kids practised so hard and performed with pure heart.”

Each song of the concert was thoughtfully selected bySubrangshu himself to suit the vocal range and texture of the performers, ensuring authenticity and emotional depth.

For example, Children charmed the audience with playful renditions of classics like “Nani Teri Morni” and “Lakdi Ki Kathi”, their innocence adding a delightful spark to the evening. A young teenager captured youthful exuberance with “My Heart is Beating”, echoing the spirit of the original film sequence. The evergreen “Phoolon Ka Taron Ka” was rendered by a real-life brother-sister duo, infusing the performance with genuine familial warmth.

The dancers who added life to the songs were Sudip Chakraborty, Prajjwalita Kar, Modhulina Choudhury, Tiyasha Bandyopadhyay, and Smita Chakraborty’s disciple. Together, these moments elevated the concert to a different emotional plane—where nostalgia, innocence, and heartfelt bonds converged, leaving the audience deeply moved and connected.

Speaking about the vision behind Swarchhanda, Subrangshu Chakravarty emphasised his mission “to build one of India’s most respected cultural platforms where tradition meets innovation, every performance tells a story, and music continues to unite people across generations, languages, and geographies.” 

Speaking on the making of this event, he said, ‘The event, “Yaad Kiya Dil Ne,” was imagined not merely as another musical evening but as an act of remembrance — an evening where generations sat together… The audience said it’s not a Concert; it’s a musical festival that we enjoyed. Grandchildren discovered songs that their parents cherished, and parents relieved their own memories. While the artists ranged from 4 to 75, we had an audience in the packed auditorium clinging to their seats for 5 hours; the most striking was a lady in a wheelchair enjoying the music for a large portion of the time and getting immersed in memories.

On calling upon choirs, teams and solo artists, the response was overwhelming. Choirs came forward with extraordinary enthusiasm. Soloists embraced songs that demanded immense sensitivity. Instrumentalists, actors, dancers, narrators and volunteers offered their time with one shared purpose — to celebrate an era that continues to live in our hearts.  

It was noted that dreams are never built by one individual. They grow because many hearts choose to believe in the same idea. Gratitude was expressed to every participating choir, every solo artist, every musician, every volunteer, and every member working quietly behind the scenes.  Their presence reaffirmed that beautiful music still matters, and that memories still matter. “

Speaking at the event, Anirudh Chowdhury said, “For musicians, every piece of music is a learning process, be it for a veteran or a novice. Here, everyone is contributing their best performance as it’s a marathon +60 songs of yesteryears of 40 female legendary Bollywood voices, with mostly the actual music pieces of those songs by 8 musicians. Not only the musicians but also the singers have listened to most of the songs for the first time and are eventually presenting it. I am honoured to take the baton and supervise the music arrangement bestowed upon me by the director of the group, Swarchhanda Shri Subrangshu Chakravarty”

For five hours, some of the finest singers, storytellers, and performers from Delhi NCR came together to recreate those emotions through music, storytelling, and thoughtful enactments—not merely to entertain, but to help audiences relive a part of themselves.