Soulful rendition of Ram bhajans by Sonu Nigam, Paudwal, Mahadevan

AYODHYA: A soulful setting preceded the start of Pran Pratishtha ceremony as singers Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, Anuradha Paudwal and daughter Kavita Paudwal rendered Ram bhajans in their mellifluous voices before the gathering of over 7,000 special invitees.

A mangal dhwani (musical orchestra) of 50 instruments curated by author and Ayodhya scion Yatindra Mishra also set a divine tone for the grand event.

Sonu Nigam was the first to take the stage and sang ‘Ram Siya Ram’ bhajan in his melodious voice. Anuradha Paudwal and Kavita Paudwal followed next and rendered Ram bhajan in a soulful unison. Shankar Mahadevan captivated the august gathering with the rendition of Shri Ramachandra Kriplau Bhajman.

After the performance, a teary-eyed Sonu Nigam said, “Abhi kuch bolne ko hai nahi, bas yahi bolne ko hai (I don't have anything left to say, but only my tears will speak). The 50-year-old singer wore a beige-coloured kurta with matching pants and a shawl on the occasion.

The 50 instruments of ‘mangal dhwani’ were sourced from 18 states of India and symbolised the diverse traditions of India. Yatindra Mishra was assisted by Delhi’s Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi in this project.

The instruments included Pakhawaj, flute, dholak from UP, Veena from Karnataka, Sundari from Maharashtra, Algoza from Punjab, Mardal from Odisha, Santur from Madhya Pradesh, Pung from Manipur, Nagada, Kali from Assam, Tambura from Chhattisgarh, Pakhawaj from Bihar, Shehnai from Delhi, Ravanhattha from Rajasthan, Shri Khol, Sarod from West Bengal, Ghatam from Andhra Pradesh, Sitar from Jharkhand, Santoor from Gujarat, Nagaswaram, Tavil, Mridangam from Tamil Nadu and Hudkaa from Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Ayodhya, artists from various parts of the country performed folk and traditional dances on 100 platforms set up along the Ram Path and Dharm Path for devotees. From Bengal’s Chhau to Ayodhya’s Badhawa, performances of artists gathered a large crowd.