5,000 Voices, One Message: Kashmir Defies Fear with Epic Concert

NDTV Good Times’ Music and Freedom concert at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) by Dal Lake drew over 5,000 enthusiastic attendees, including many young women, in a powerful display of unity and cultural pride. Headlined by Sonu Nigam and featuring local stars Qazi Touqeer and Rauhan Malik, the event marked the Valley’s first large-scale concert since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Despite boycott calls from radical elements, the turnout shattered false narratives of fear and isolation.

Social media buzzed with defiance as locals and supporters rejected manipulated videos showing empty seats. “This is a fake narrative,” one user clarified, explaining that premium lounge areas were packed while standing zones appeared sparse. Another post celebrated: “Kashmir wrote a new melody of peace, progress, and pride. The boycott brigade failed.” BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya hailed the event as “spectacular,” praising the crowd’s spirit and noting the irony of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s absence, possibly due to political sensitivities.

Sonu Nigam paid tribute to Mohammed Rafi and paused his performance for the Azaan, earning applause for cultural respect. Qazi Touqeer opened with high energy, even doing push-ups on stage, while Rauhan Malik performed original songs, showcasing homegrown talent. The concert symbolized a shift from conflict to confidence, with attendees rising above intimidation to embrace music, freedom, and a vision of Naya Kashmir.

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The event is part of NDTV Good Times’ nationwide series celebrating music and regional identity. Upcoming concerts include AR Rahman in Varanasi, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy in another city, and high-energy performances by Jubin Nautiyal and Neha Kakkar. In Kashmir, the night proved that art can transcend propaganda, uniting thousands in a shared rhythm of hope and resilience.

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