Ek Tha Raja, Delhi 17th & 18th March, 2023

This new show on Raja Mehdi Ali Khan which was launched in Ludhiana on 4th March 2023 was brought to Delhi at Kamani Auditorium on 17th March, 2023 with a repeat performance on 18th March, 2023 to meet the growing demand for our shows.

The show, scripted in Ibaadat’s unique conversational style, presented several unknown facets of the poet’s life and works, with focus on his satire, wit and humour. In this musical drama, 15 of his most poetic film songs were rendered in full by 6 consummate singers while another 36 mukhdas/antaras were sung in tarannum. In addition, his 14 poems were also recited. 1 song was also enacted through a dance performance. The event, on both days, received phenomenal appreciation.

Some messages received…

नशा आ गया। बहुत बहुत मुबारक। माशाअल्लाह। वाह वाह. Najeeb Jung, Retd. LG, Delhi

An exhilarating experience. You have created an iconic platform which will be remembered for decades to come. The hard work that goes into the presentation was visible in every frame of it. The aspect which makes the Ibaadat shows stand head and shoulders above all other renditions is the painstaking research undertaken by you. Every single minute aspect of the life of the subject artist-his struggles and challenges, his inspiration and genius, was presented before the audience in the most sensitive and aesthetic way. U.K. Sinha, Retd. Chairman, SEBI

Your research is just mind-boggling. I had casually heard of Rajasaheb but now it feels I know him so well. Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India

It was a masterly presentation and the interest did not flag even for a minute. Ashok Chawla, Retd. Chairperson, Competition Commission of India

An impressive and enjoyable evening. Your research provided such interesting insights and also lovely selection and singing of songs. Anil Sinha, Sr. Consultant, IMF

Unparalleled. I searched for a suitable adjective for some two minutes and could not find any. It was high on both literary and artistic quality. Prashant Saran, Retd. WTM, SEBI

Enjoyed. You are a perfectionist. Satyananda Mishra, Retd. IAS

Amazing and incredible work!!! Now your 100% fan. Ashutosh Sinha, Sr. Editor, ET

An amazing and awesome programme. The show was designed and delivered in a very imaginative and impressive manner. Harun R. Khan, Retd. Dy. Governor, RBI

Delightful. So soulfully, graciously and sensitively crafted and delivered. Subhash Chandra Garg, Former Union Finance Secretary

Bahut khub. Those amazing melodies took me back to my college days. Rajiv Kumar, Retd. Vice Chairman, Niti Aayog

Loved it. Will travel to see your other shows. Surender Singh, Former CISF Chief

It was a beautifully curated evening and I loved it. Manoj Yadava. DG, NHRC

A mesmerising performance. C.S. Verma, Former Chairman & MD, SAIL

Thank you for a fantastic evening. Parth and Dev were outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Sangeeta Gupta, (Daughter of music maestro Madan Mohan)

A fabulous evening. Satya P. Sharma, Retd. Inspector General (Coast Guard)

Professional, unique, well curated program. Som Mittal, Former President, NASSCOM

Wonderful display of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan’s life story and his compositions. Maj. Gen. Dr. Raman Marwaha, Consulting Endocrinologist, AIIMS

A memorable evening. Powerful and well researched script, talented singers and imaginative choreography gave a fitting tribute to one of the greatest lyricists of Hindi cinema. Manoj Kumar, Retd. Addl. Chief Secy, Himachal Pradesh

Loved the energy and the final output. Monika Halan, Ex Editor, Mint Money

Programme was an abundance of riches, perfectly curated and presented with pure passion, remarkable research and sheer style. Dr. Lalit Dar, Professor-Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences

I was probably the only person who cannot speak any Indian language. But I was truly impressed with the show and the music. Will never forget it. Dr. Steve A. Arshinoff, Prof. Dept. of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada

I see Ibaadat's value in highlighting the occluded role of the poets/lyricists in making the songs such perennial embodiments of our fond memories, aesthetic delight and recurrent enjoyment. T.K. Arun, Former Editor, Economic Times

What a show! Awesomest. Atul Bagai, Head, United Nations Environment Programme Country-India and Dipa Bagai, Advisor, National Health Authority