Israeli singer Ben Raivitz has drawn attention on social media after performing the Hanuman Chalisa and dedicating the devotional prayer to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian Flydubai pilot recovering from a cockpit emergency. Raivitz offered the rendition as a gesture of respect and prayed for the captain’s speedy recovery. The performance has resonated with viewers in India and beyond, with many appreciating the singer’s interest in Indian devotional music and his support for the injured pilot.

Raivitz, who has been learning Hindustani classical music for nearly a decade, shared his rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa online. His musical interests extend to Indian classical and spiritual traditions, which he has explored through performances shared on social media. His tribute to Machchhar brought together his interest in Indian music and the story of the pilot whose actions during a critical flight emergency have attracted widespread attention.

The tribute follows reports about the incident involving a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar faced a cockpit emergency involving an alleged attack by the flight’s Omani co-pilot, Hamam Al-Hammami. Despite being injured, the captain’s actions during the incident have drawn praise, while authorities have continued to face questions about the circumstances surrounding the episode.

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Machchhar had previously spoken about reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during the emergency. In a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described how the prayer helped him find courage during the difficult situation. His account subsequently attracted attention among people following his recovery, and the connection between the captain’s faith and his experience appears to have influenced Raivitz’s decision to perform the devotional composition in his honour.

The Israeli singer’s rendition has prompted reactions from social media users, many of whom have welcomed the gesture as an expression of compassion and solidarity across national and cultural boundaries. The performance has also brought renewed attention to Raivitz’s engagement with Indian music and spiritual traditions. For viewers, the tribute represents a personal response to the captain’s experience rather than simply another musical performance.

Machchhar’s recovery has drawn goodwill from people in India and abroad, while his account of the emergency has continued to circulate publicly. Raivitz’s tribute adds to those expressions of support, using a devotional composition that the captain had turned to during the crisis. The response to the performance illustrates how an individual’s experience can connect people across countries through music, faith and a shared hope for recovery.

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