Buzz in Varanasi as Ghulam Ali performs at Sankat Mochan

Wishing that he could be present at the festival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in Lok Sabha, regretted that he was unable to attend the event due to his busy schedule and expressed the hope that he would be among the audience in the future. “I do wish I get the opportunity to attend such a programme in future where so many well-known artistes will be enchanting the audience,” Modi said in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

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“I must share that I have heard Ghulam Ali Sahab in the past & that too in person,” Modi tweeted.

“Also read in the papers that Ghulam Ali Sahab wished that I attend the programme. Unfortunately, this time I would not be able to do so,” tweeted Modi. “My best wishes to the organisers of the ‘Sangeet Samaroh. Several renowned musicians will be gracing the programmes,” he said.

Dr V N Mishra, younger brother of Prof Vishwambar Nath Mishra, the head priest, said: “Definitely, the first day crowd is due to Ali’s visit here. As far as I know, he is performing in public in Varanasi for the first time.”

“Anup Jalota had come last time. There was some crowd. But this is just the double,” said Shatrughan Mishra, a BHU student.

Mishra was part of the “double line” with youngsters queued up in a small window to have a glimpse of Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj invoking Lord Krishna and Gopis through his rhythmic dance steps. Taking his performance to a crescendo in the end, Maharaj said he could not go any more because it is way too emotional for him. Flute maestro Hari Prasad Chaurasia, renowned vocalist Pandit Vishwanath, vocal legend Pandit Jasraj, waited in the wings.