Cuttack, Nov 16: The Bali Yatra Cultural Evening was eagerly anticipated, especially with the arrival of renowned devotional singer and Padma Shri awardee Anup Jalota. However, as the evening wore on, the audience’s excitement turned into frustration due to the prolonged delay in his performance. While waiting, many visitors began to lose patience, wondering when the much-anticipated performance would finally begin.
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As the hours passed, some vendors began closing their stalls, and several audience, disheartened by the wait, chose to leave. Despite the growing discontent, a dedicated group of fans remained hopeful and stayed late into the night, hoping to see the legendary singer perform.
Anup Jalota finally took to the stage around 10:30 pm. However, his performance, which lasted a brief 25 minutes, fell short of expectations. The Bollywood-famed singer performed only five bhajans, including popular tracks such as "Aisi Lagi Lagan," "Achyutam Keshavam," and "Bolo Ram Ram." Many in the audience, despite his star status, were disappointed by the short duration of his set, which did not meet the anticipated length of performance.
In addition to Jalota’s performance, the cultural evening also featured other acts, including a traditional Odia dance and performances by local artists.
On a positive note, popular singer Pankaj Jal took the stage and performed multiple bhajans, offering a more fulfilling experience for the crowd. His performance pacified the audiences left by Jalota’s brief appearance.
The event also raised questions about the organization and management of the evening. Several attendees expressed dismay over how the district administration handled the scheduling and honoring of Padma Shri Anup Jalota, highlighting concerns about the overall execution of the event.
