Nagpur Goes ‘Zingaat’ As Ajay-Atul Fires Up Finale

Nagpur: The IDCPE Ground at Krida Chowk literally shook on the drumbeats — the air humming, the crowd roaring, and the city vibrating under the thunder of ‘Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji' as legendary music duo Ajay-Atul brought fire to the freezing city of oranges on the grand finale of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025. And they delivered it with a force that Nagpur will remember for years.After 12 days of cultural spectacle, the festival concluded on Tuesday with an explosion of sound, devotion, nostalgia, and sheer musical madness — the signature Ajay-Atul effect. The programme opened with the grand chorus ‘Jai Jai Survar Pujit', setting the tone for the night. But the moment the first notes of ‘Natrang Ubha' hit the air, thousands screamed, surged forward, and welcomed the duo with earth-shattering applause.Taking the stage with a mix of humility and swagger, Ajay-Atul paused amidst the frenzy to recall their bond with the city. "Nagpur gave us unbelievable love in our very first ticketed concert in 2009. Last year we told Gadkariji that we wanted to return — and we are grateful to be here tonight for the finale," they said, also acknowledging thousands who stood outside the venue after seats ran out.The stadium then turned into a temple of adrenaline. The powerful rendition of ‘Indra Jimi Jambh Par', saluting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, sent the energy skyrocketing. Chants of ‘Jai Shivaji' burst across the grounds like waves. From there, it was a rollercoaster-devotional pieces like ‘Malhar Wari', ‘Udhe Ga Ambe Udhe', and classic Devi aartis filled the venue with bhakti and bass.Manish and Nihira's vibrant ‘Jeev Dangala' lifted the tempo, followed by soulful performances from Hrishikesh Ranade, who bewitched the audience with ‘Mere Naam Tu', ‘Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin', and ‘Man Udhaan Vaaryache'. Nagpur's own Sharyu Date joined Ajay for ‘Dhadak Hai Na', sending a fresh wave of cheers across the ground.But the night turned wild when the composers unleashed their blockbuster streak including ‘Zingaat'. Nagpurians went zing, crazy, ecstatic — turning the arena into a pulsating sea of flashlights.Union minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the evening along with Hyundai India ED Geojik Lee, MLA Sameer Kunawar, former MPs Ajay Sancheti and Sunil Mendhe, and others. He noted that the festival has transcended geographical boundaries, watched by crores across the world through social media, giving it a new international stature.The 12-day Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav was powered by the relentless efforts of the organising committee led by Prof Anil Sole, supported by Dr Gaurishankar Parashar, Ashok Mankar, Dilip Jadhav, Jayaprakash Gupta, Prof Rajesh Bagdi, and several others. Hosts Bal Kulkarni and Renuka Deshkar steered the evening effortlessly.The event ended with ‘Deva Shree Ganesha' with Gadkari and his wife on stage for the concluding song.

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