Mumbai Witnesses Historic Musical Tribute at Haazri 2026
Mumbai experienced a truly rare musical evening at Haazri 2026. The event transformed into moments of collective reverence for a legendary maestro. Jio World Garden in BKC hosted a completely packed audience for this special occasion.
A Living Homage to a Musical Giant
The evening became a living homage to Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan's towering legacy. For the first time ever, his illustrious students and some of the greatest voices of our time came together on one stage. The atmosphere remained thick with emotion and gratitude throughout the performance.
Legends A.R. Rahman, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, and Shaan shared the stage in a once-in-a-lifetime gathering. They appeared not as stars but as shaagirds united in their 'haazri' to their beloved Ustad. This special tribute marked his fifth barsi or death anniversary.
Careful Curation by Family Members
Namrata Gupta Khan and Rabbani Mustafa Khan thoughtfully curated and organized the evening. As Ustad Sahab's daughter-in-law and son, they have consistently carried his legacy forward with grace and devotion. Their brainchild NR Talent and Event Management made this memorable event possible.
Powerful Performances That Moved Audiences
A.R. Rahman opened the evening with a soul-stirring Sufi set. He instantly transformed the venue into a space of prayer and surrender. Rahman moved audiences with renditions of Kun Faya Kun, Khwaja Mere Khwaja, and Arziyan. He then joined the Mustafa brothers and Ustad's grandsons for deeply moving performances of Aao Balma and Piya Haji Ali. This moment felt both timeless and sacred to everyone present.
Shaan brought warmth, nostalgia, and sheer joy to the evening. He performed popular numbers like 'Main Hoon Don,' 'Chand Sifarish,' and 'Om Shanti Om.' Shaan also sang a beautiful rendition of Khan Sahab's ghazal 'Chale Aao.'
Hariharan followed with melodies that have shaped generations. His set included beloved songs like 'Tu Hi Re,' 'Roja,' 'Bahon Ke Darmiyan,' and 'Yaadein.' Each performance received thunderous applause from the appreciative audience.
Sonu Nigam closed the musical arc with an emotionally charged set. He featured powerful renditions of 'Pardesiya,' 'Kal Ho Naa Ho,' 'Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin' and 'Sandese Aate Hain.' His performance visibly moved the entire audience.
Distinguished Guests and Family Recognition
The night saw the presence of several distinguished guests from cinema, culture and music. Notable attendees included Smita Thackeray, Babil Khan with mother Sutapa Sikdar, Shefali Shah, Ronit Bose Roy with Neelam Bose Roy, and Kritika Kamra.
Other prominent faces included Adarsh Gourav, Kavita Seth with son Kanishk, Neha Dhupia, Vishal Jethwa, and Akshay Oberoi with his family. Shweta Tripathi, Javed Jaffrey, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Raju Singh, Sherley Singh, Reshma Merchant, Shibani Kashyap, Prachee Shah Pandya, Paras Chhabra, Sonnalli Seygall, and Raai Laxmi also graced the occasion.
In a particularly moving moment, Ustad Sahab's family members felicitated the legendary artists on stage. His sons and daughters personally honored these musical giants who came to pay tribute.
The Enduring Echo of a Legacy
As the final notes faded into the Mumbai night, one truth resonated clearly through the venue. True legacies never really end. They continue to echo through dedicated students, through timeless songs, and through precious moments like these. Haazri 2026 demonstrated how musical traditions live on through generations of artists who carry forward their guru's teachings.
