Dural, a serene suburb in western Sydney, came alive on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as SCREAN Australia Productions, led by Manju Mittal, presented the mesmerising ghazal evening Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti, conceptualised by the multi-talented Avijit Sarkar and Srijani Ghosh. What unfolded was an unforgettable celebration of melody, nostalgia, and poetic brilliance – a night that left Sydney’s music lovers spellbound.
The Dural Memorial Hall was packed to capacity, with a sold‑out audience eager to immerse themselves in a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. The ambience: warm, intimate, and cocooned from the hot, rainy weather outside created the perfect setting for an evening of soulful music. In such close proximity to the artists, listeners felt every note, every pause, and every emotion with rare intensity.
Jagjit Singh, a beloved artist of Sydney who visited often, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of ghazal aficionados. As Gulzar once said, “When Jagjit sings, he adds new meaning to lyrics, enhancing their depth”. This sentiment echoed throughout the evening as Avijit Sarkar and Srijani Ghosh brought alive the timeless magic of ghazals.
The show began right on time with an opening by Taufeeq Ahmed Sheikh, followed by the charismatic emcee Indraj Sinha, whose warm welcome and poetic interludes set the tone for the night.
Avijit Sarkar – musician, painter, singer and philanthropist is known for concerts that blend art with purpose. Beside him stood Kolkata‑born Srijani Ghosh, Sydney’s beloved Melody Queen, a trained classical vocalist with over 100 concerts to her credit.
Together, they made a striking pair: Avijit in a printed kurta and Srijani in an elegant deep blue and gold Chanderi sari, they opened the evening with a passionate duet, “Duniya Jise Kehte Hain,” their voices weaving pathos and beauty in perfect harmony. What followed was a cascade of classics:
Avijit’s evocative renditions of “Hum Toh Hain Pardes Mein,” “Main Nashe Mein,” “Pyaar Ka Pehla Khat,” “Tum Itna Jo Muskura,” and “Hoshwalon Ko.”Srijani’s soulful interpretations of “Ranjish Hi Sahi,” “Tumko Dekha,” “Safar Mein Dhoop,” “Teri Khushboo,” and the haunting “Koi Yeh Kaise Bata De Ki Woh Tanha Kyon Hai.” Her soulful delivery of this ghazal became one of the night’s highlights, leaving the hall in a spellbound hush, while Indraj Sinha’s poetry recitations deepened the romantic, reflective mood of the evening.
Their duet “Gham Ka Khazana” showcased how beautifully their voices complement each other while retaining their individual artistry.
The concert concluded with the iconic title ghazal “Woh Kagaz Ki Kashti,” sung in loving remembrance of Jagjit Singh. As Avijit and Srijani’s voices reverberated through the hall, the audience joined in, creating a moment that was both visually moving and musically transcendent.
The evening’s brilliance was elevated by the Jazba band; Abhijit Dan on tabla, Sadiq Rehmani on guitar, Rushnan Zaman on keyboard and Sanjeev Raja on side rhythm. Avijit acknowledged each musician with heartfelt appreciation.
The entire event was conducted with grace and warmth by emcee Indraj Sinha. His poetic, creative interludes revealed a compere of uncanny ability, someone who could hold the audience’s attention effortlessly.
A food stall by Rehmat Kitchen, Blacktown, offered bread pakoras, samosas, biryani, and chai – a perfect complement to the musical evening.
Superb sound by Sydney’s top engineers Abdul Sajwani and Mahedi Sajwani.
Sponsor Dr Palu Malaowalla felicitated the artists, adding a gracious touch to the evening’s celebrations.
Every ghazal was met with enthusiastic applause, every performance with admiration. The evening was not just a concert, it was an experience, perhaps one of the most elegant ghazal events Sydney has witnessed. As the audience left the hall, one sentiment echoed everywhere: When is Part 2?
