Page 28 - The Indian EYE 062725

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 27, 2025 | The Indian Eye 28

Raga to Romance: Priyanka Barve

Rocks the Stage in Chicago

OUR BUREAU cal, and modern fusion guarantees
something for everyone. Whether
Chicago, IL
you’re swaying to a timeless Lata
n a warm Chicago evening, Mangeshkar melody or tapping your
the air buzzed with anticipa- feet to a vibrant Bollywood classic,
Otion as the stage at The Matrix her voice pulls you into a world where
Club prepared to come alive with the stories come alive through song.
soul-stirring voice of Priyanka Barve. At a press conference on June
On June 13, 2025, at 7:00 pm, Aarush 12, Priyanka and the organizing team
Entertainment, Rudra Creation, and shared a few highlights of what was
Dhrishti presented an unforgetta- in store. “This show is my tribute to
ble musical journey — “Celebrating the divas who have inspired me,” Pri-
Legendary Divas: Mughal-E-Azam’s yanka said, her eyes sparkling with
Anarkali.” It was more than just a passion. “Expect a journey through
concert; it was a heartfelt tribute to Hindi and Marathi songs — from
the timeless voices that have defined Mughal-E-Azam classics to modern
generations — delivered by a clas- hits. It’s about connecting with the
sical vocalist whose talent knows no audience through music that speaks
bounds. to every heart.”
The Matrix Club, with its state- When asked about the challeng- er it’s a raga or a pop song. I started in the future. The event was a labor
of-the-art acoustics and inviting am- es of portraying Anarkali, she smiled with light classical, then ghazals and of love from Aarush Entertainment,
biance, provided the perfect setting warmly, “Singing, acting, and dancing bhajans, and now I let each genre Rudra Creation, and Dhrishti, led
for this musical extravaganza. It was all at once was tough! I’m trained in flow from my heart. It’s about staying by Manoj Rathod, Swati Rudra Cre-
a celebration of culture, community, Kathak, which helped, but capturing true to the music and the audience.” ations, and Rajkumari Rathod. “This
and the universal language of music. Anarkali’s emotional depth was a For aspiring artists, Priyanka’s night was not just about the music; it
The event was a houseful show, where beautiful challenge. It taught me to advice was heartfelt: “Classical de- was about honoring our rich culture
families, friends, and music lovers of push my limits.” mands patience, but it’s a foundation and the unity we find in it. We’re
all ages came together to share in the Chicago holds a special place in that strengthens every performance. proud to bring Priyanka Barve to
rich legacy of song — creating memo- Priyanka’s heart. “I was 21 when I Work hard, stay rooted, and let your Chicago — a true musical gem.” In
ries that will linger long after the final first performed here. The love from passion shine.” addition Aarush Entertainment and
note. this diverse audience — people from Manoj Rathod and Swati Kuki- Rudra Creations proudly introduced
Priyanka Barve, a name that res- Karnataka, Maharashtra, and be- an extended their heartfelt gratitude local talent, showcasing the best of
onates with versatility and brilliance, yond — was overwhelming. Coming to all attendees, sponsors, and orga- our community. This was their sec-
is no stranger to stealing the spotlight. back feels like coming home.” nizers for making this a memorable ond year celebrating and supporting
A classically trained vocalist from a On balancing classical and mod- event, and they look forward to curat- emerging artists.”
rich musical family, she has carved ern, she added, “Music is one, wheth- ing more such inspiring experiences -- Asian Media USA
a niche in Bollywood and Marathi
cinema with her soulful playback
singing. Her voice — a blend of clas-
sical finesse and modern flair — has
graced numerous films and albums,
leaving audiences spellbound. But
it’s her iconic portrayal of Anarkali in
the grand musical Mughal-E-Azam
that has elevated her to a league of
her own, showcasing her ability to
fuse vocal mastery with dramatic ex-
pression.
Picture a setlist that glides
through the golden era of Bollywood,
dips into soulful classical raagas, and
then soars with contemporary hits.
Priyanka’s performance is a kaleido-
scope of emotions — from the tender
ache of a romantic ballad to the ex-
hilarating energy of a chart-topping
number. Her ability to move effort-
lessly between classical, semi-classi-

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