NEW DELHI: Qawaal Ustad Chand Afzal, playback singer Sonu Nigam and Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam are to perform on 14 November at Nehru Park to mark the culmination of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Set to begin just when the sun goes down at 6 pm, the musical treat will begin with chants from students at theVaranasi based- ?Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya, which follows the gurukul system to instruct girls in the Vedas, Sanskrit grammar, Indian philosophy, in addition to classical music. This will be followed by spell-binding songs by Padma Shri awardee and vocalist Aruna Sairam. She is one of those rare talents whose repertoire includes varying classical, semi-classical and folk music forms and genres in several languages. Her music is also said to go beyond geographic borders and cultural contexts.

Being the land of Nizammuddin Auliya, to carry on the sufi heritage, a Qawaal will haunt audiences just as the mists of winter hit the region.

??Ustad Chand Afzal, who has performed at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, will mesmerise the audience with his qawwals with his mellifluous voice. To cap the evening, Bollywood singer- Sonu Nigam will take the music lovers of Delhi on a trip down memory lane while singing old melodies. Giving the term ‘old is gold’ a stirring meaning, Nigam’s expressive voice will help transport listeners to an era when Jawaharlal Nehru lived. He hopes to help those present remember the icon whose impressions are etched in memory forever.

This being an evening of celebration will commemorate the architect of the modern Indian state, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also the first Prime Minister of Independent India. Organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, the event and evening will cut across all age groups and connect young and old alike to pay tribute to the charismatic statesman.