The concert marks the live debut and release of the first track from the EP: O Gaanewali Session 1—‘Muddat Hui Hai Yaar Ko’, a ghazal penned by Mirza Ghalib and immortalised by Iqbal Bano. The song will be officially released during the concert, with the rest of the EP unveiled in a staggered release every two weeks.  

Conceptualised and written by Avanti Patel, a top 9 finalist of Indian Idol Season 10, this soul-stirring performance honours the lives and legacies of these forgotten icons. This deeply emotive project reimagines traditional forms like Thumri, Dadra, and Ghazal through a classic yet contemporary lens, rooted in authenticity, yet accessible to today’s listeners. Presented in a conversational mix of Hindi and English, the performance invites contemporary audiences into a world of music that is intimate, haunting, and revelatory.  

Through evocative live music, engaging storytelling, and richly researched anecdotes, the show breathes new life into the work of pioneering women such as Gauhar Jaan, Raasoolan Bai, Janki Bai, Shobha Gurtu, Begum Akhtar, and others whose artistry shaped the cultural imagination of their times. O Gaanewali has a changing repertoire- something that encourages audience members to keep coming back! They have previously performed “Chha Rahi Kali Ghata”, “Aye Muhobbat Tere Anjaam Pe Rona Aya”, “Rangi Sari” and many more. 

The lead vocalists share a deep musical lineage. Both Avanti Patel and Rutuja Lad are students of Padmashri Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and carry the artistic inheritance of her aunt, Sarla Bhide, a senior disciple of the legendary Shobha Gurtu. They will be accompanied on stage by musicians Akshay Jadhav (on Tabla), Apoorv Petkar (on Harmonium), and Sandeep Mishra (on Sarangi).