Ghazal singer Gitanjali Rai pays a musical tribute to Ranjitsinh Gaekwad

When Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, scion of the royal family of erstwhile Baroda state, was alive, he had reportedly expressed a desire to listen to singer Gitanjali Rai, a well-known ghazal and satsang singer.
While it didn’t happen during his lifetime, two city-based organizations dedicated to the promotion of classical music and dance roped in Gitanjali Rai to pay a musical tribute to Ranjitsinh, one of the city’s favorite sons, at Sir Sayajiraonagar Gruh recently.
The organizations, Ghargharika and Kedar Art Research Centre, have been organizing such memorable programmes for a while for Barodians. And at this musical do, where members from the royal family (Samarjitsinh and Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad and Alaukikaraje Gaekwad) were present, Rai took everyone on an emotional musical ride with her soulful rendition.
Among others, Mayor Jyoti Pandya and renowned educationist Tejal Amin were also spotted enjoying the proceedings. Gitanjali, who has been trained by renowned personalities like Pandit Pratap Narayan (elder brother of Pandit Jasraj) of Mewati gharana and famous music director Sardar Malik, was at her musical best and delivered a performance that was fitting for the occasion. The programme was very well attended, which once again emphasized the immense popularity that the late Ranjitsinh Gaekwad enjoys.