Cheers erupted inside Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda Hall as Sonu Nigam walked on the stage to perform last weekend. The singer began his concert with an intricate aalaap and then went on to sing Kahani from Laal Singh Chaddha. Among the thousands of songs to his credit, Sonu picked few of the most popular ones for the concert.

On an emotional note, the singer told the audience that 2023 is a special year as it marks his fourdecades long journey as a performer. “Stage par professionally gaatein huye 45 saal ho gayein iss saal!” He adds, “It has been more than 31 years since I came to Mumbai to become a singer. Ekaatiss saal se main iss industry ko enjoy kar raha hoon. It has been a beautiful journey.”

His performance included not just hismelodious slow tracks, but some of his peppy foot-tapping numbers too. From Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai, Maria Maria, Tumse Milke Dil Ka to unforgettable melodies like Suraj Hua Maddham, Mere Haath Mein, Shukran Allah, Ab Mujhe Raat Din and many others. The show concluded on a high with some of the audience’s top favourites like Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Throughout the concert, he kept interacting with the audience and shared notes from his musical journey.

The singer said, “Main bhagwan ko hamesha thank you bolta hoon ki itne acche acche gaane diye, itna accha career diya. Mujhe lagta hai ki jitna maine apne art ko enjoy kiya hai, kisi ne nahi kiya hoga. Maine filmon mein gaane gayein hain, independent gaane gayein hain, television mein bhi. I have judged music programs, hosted music shows, acted in films, written lyrics for songs and composed music.”

Sonu, who was close to the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, also paid a tribute to the late singer on her first death anniversary (February 6). “She was my mother. When she would text me, she would sign off as Ma. It has been a year since she left us,” said the emotional singer who shared with the audience the last text exchange that he had with her, on the LCD on the stage.