Sonu Nigam Returns to Kashmir: Live Concert at Dal Lake Marks Valley’s Cultural Revival
Bollywood icon headlines Kashmir’s first mega concert post-attack.
Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake will resonate with melody on October 26 as Sonu Nigam headlines a landmark concert at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). The event marks the Kashmir Valley’s first large-scale live music performance in six months. Organized by NDTV Good Times, it follows a somber pause triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 26.
The Padma Shri awardee, celebrated for his soul-stirring rendition in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) that earned him a National Film Award, will pay a special tribute to his musical guru, the legendary Mohammed Rafi. Nigam has recorded over 3,000 songs in more than 30 languages including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, and Tamil. He returns to the Valley after a decade and promises an emotional journey through timeless classics and contemporary hits.
Opening the show are two homegrown talents. Rouhan Malik, a Kashmiri singer-composer who represented India at the Intervision Song Contest 2025 in Moscow, will blend folk, pop, and rock from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Following him, Touqeer Qazi, winner of Fame Gurukul alongside Ruprekha Banerjee, takes the stage from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. with his signature romantic ballads from the hit album Yeh Pal.
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Nigam’s main act begins at 3:30 p.m. and runs until 5:30 p.m., set against the breathtaking backdrop of the lake and the Zabarwan mountains. Gates open at 11 a.m. VIPs enter via Gate No. 1, while general guests use Gate No. 3.
Security has been fortified with multi-layer checking, drone surveillance, and rapid-response units, reflecting heightened vigilance after the Pahalgam incident. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared the event a cultural revival milestone aimed at restoring tourism confidence and showcasing the region’s return to normalcy.
Beyond music, the concert carries symbolic weight. Nigam has long advocated for peace in Kashmir and previously drew 40,000 attendees during his 2015 Srinagar performance. Organizers expect over 15,000 this time, with live streaming on NDTV platforms to reach millions globally.
Local artisans, shikara operators, and houseboat owners report a surge in bookings, with hotel occupancy hitting 85 percent, the highest since 2019. A tourism official stated that this is not just a concert but a statement that Kashmir is open, safe, and singing again.
As the sun sets over Dal Lake, Sonu Nigam’s voice will bridge decades of melody and a valley healing through harmony, one note at a time.
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