Sona Mohapatra, Rabbi Shergill pay tribute to Delhi rape victim at JNU campus in Delhi

On December 16, 2013, performers gathered at JNU after charting the rape route to pay tribute to the victim through a mobile concert, which brought the campaign, Jurrat, to a close. Actress and a former JNU student, Swara Bhaskar, was the emcee for the event.
Swanand Kirkire, the first performer, had the audience swaying to his tunes when he sang songs like Baawra Mann.The hall resonated with applause as he sung O Ri Chiraiya again, in which Sona Mohapatra joined him. Nirdosh handled the guitar, while Swarupa played the drums and dhol.
As soon as Sona, who wore a long flared red skirt, took the stage, the hall echoed with applause again. Swara stepped up on the stage to introduce Sona, saying, “I want to give another introduction to Sona – she’s the most articulate singer that I’ve ever met, hence she’s the best to support Jurrat.”
Sona began with singing Tere Ishq Nachaya, complete with jumping around and headbanging. After finishing the song, she joked, “Aaj-kal har singer apne aap ko Sufi kehlata hai, main Sufi nahin hoon. So here’s one to all the gorgeous women and all the men. I am sure not all of them (the men) are bad, I too have a good one at home.” The audience laughed and whistled. She then went on to sing Aaja Ve, Gumsum Si Ab Na Rahoongi and lastly, Sapne Sapne. Calling it an “ode to the underbelly”, she also sang Bedardi Raja on popular demand.
Next up was Rabbi Shergill. He started with the moving and thought-provoking Jugni, and had the audience humming it with him. Right from the professors to the students, everyone sang along and swayed during all the performances.
(Byline: Alina Sayeed)