The High Commission of India in Colombo, together with its cultural arm, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), organised a live music concert titled “Timeless Bollywood Melodies – Anuradha Paudwal Live in Colombo” on 23 January 2026 at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, to commemorate the 77th Republic Day of India, falling on 26 January 2026.
The evening was graced by H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip; Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development; Hon. Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekhar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs of Sri Lanka, Hon. Deputy Ministers, Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leader of Opposition, Hon. Members of Parliament, former Presidents, Mr. Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of JVP, senior government officials, diplomats, and other distinguished invitees.
The highlight of the evening was a mesmerising and soulful performance by the legendary Indian playback singer ‘Padma Shri’ Anuradha Paudwal. Revered as the queen of Indian playback singing, she captivated the audience with her timeless voice, rekindling nostalgia through iconic Bollywood melodies that defined the golden era of Indian cinema. Her performance resonated deeply with audiences across generations, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and celebration of India’s rich musical heritage. With a career spanning over four decades, Anuradha Paudwal is among India’s most celebrated playback singers, having rendered thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages. A recipient of numerous accolades, including Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri, she continues to be cherished by audiences worldwide. Carrying forward this rich musical legacy, her daughter, Ms. Kavitha Paudwal, also performed during the evening, marking the continuation of a remarkable musical journey across generations.
The programme commenced with the rendition of the National Anthems of India and Sri Lanka by the internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan Western classical singing duo, The De Lanerolle Brothers, Rohan and Ishan, renowned for their exceptional vocal harmonies and versatility across genres. Complementing the musical brilliance of the evening, the Prashadi Dance Academy of Sri Lanka presented backing dance performances, adding movement and energy to the show while celebrating the charm and nostalgia of Bollywood’s golden era.
The musical extravaganza witnessed an enthusiastic gathering of over a thousand guests, including members of Sri Lanka’s defence and civil services, the diplomatic corps, academia, business and media communities, the Indian diaspora, and friends of India. The overwhelming response from the audience underscored the enduring cultural bond and deep people-to-people connect between India and Sri Lanka, celebrated fittingly through music on this significant national occasion.
