Patna/Rajgir: The valleys of Rajgir resonated with Sufi melodies on Saturday evening as Kailash Kher took centre stage at the International Rajgir Mahotsav, delivering a performance that blended spirituality, nostalgia and popular culture.
Opening his set with Main toh tere pyaar mein deewana ho gaya, Kher quickly established an intimate connection with the audience. His distinct, gravelled voice carried effortlessly across the open-air venue, drawing listeners into a repertoire that moved between film music, folk traditions and devotional songs.
The atmosphere shifted between exuberance and reflection as Kher performed crowd favourites such as Rang denge piya, Tu jaane na and Teri Deewani, prompting many in the audience to rise from their seats and sing along. A particularly rousing response greeted his rendition of Kaun hai woh… Kya kabhi ambar se soorya bichhadta hai, the epic theme from the film Baahubali, performed in collaboration with his band, Kailasa.
Between songs, Kher spoke warmly of Rajgir and nearby Nalanda, describing the region as a land of knowledge, peace and spiritual coexistence. He noted visible changes in Bihar’s infrastructure, remarking that the journey from Patna to Rajgir, once several hours long, had become significantly shorter.
“The spirit of hospitality here is remarkable,” he told the audience, praising the cultural continuity of a place known for its monasteries, temples and shared religious heritage.
As the evening concluded with Allah ke Bande, applause filled the venue, marking a performance that was less a concert than a communal experience — one in which music, memory and place converged in the winter chill of Rajgir.
