October 26, 2025

Under the calm skies by the beautiful Dal Lake, Sonu Nigam turned a chilly Sunday night into a musical fiesta at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). Hundreds of music lovers gathered, their spirits lifted as the famous singer paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Mohammed Rafi. This open-air concert, hosted by NDTV Good Times, was a dream come true for many – a shining symbol of peace returning to Srinagar. Once, such music events faced strikes and boycotts here. But Sunday was different. No protests, no calls to boycott, just cheers and songs. Alongside Sonu Nigam, local stars Qazi Touqeer, the 2005 Fame Gurukul winner, and Rouhan Malik set the perfect stage, warming up the crowd with their soulful tunes. Sonu Nigam’s sweet, powerful voice filled the air, and the audience couldn’t help but sway and sing along. “It has been a great experience to see my favourite singer performing live in our city. I’m thrilled to see him here,” shared Mohammad Amir, a young fan from Srinagar. Despite some online chatter trying to stop the show—rooted in past controversy over Nigam’s 2017 call to ban loudspeakers in religious places—the concert went on beautifully with a big crowd enjoying it. This concert is special—it’s the first big music event in Kashmir since 2013, when famed conductor Zubin Mehta performed amid tension and opposition. Back then, separatist leaders saw it as a political move, and sadly, violence marred the day with four deaths nearby. But this time, things were peaceful. The recent Pahalgam attack that shook the Valley left 26 lives lost, but Sonu Nigam’s concert felt like a ray of hope. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised the event, saying it would boost tourism and show the world Kashmir’s rich culture and warm hospitality. This musical night by Dal Lake was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of peace, music, and the spirit of Kashmir coming alive again.

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Tags: Sonu nigam, Mohammed rafi tribute, Kashmir concert, Skicc, Dal lake, Jammu and kashmir tourism,