Sur Sandhya is back for its 22nd edition in Bengaluru, on this Saturday (February 14). This year’s event will feature Indian playback and classical singer Kavita Krishnamurti. She will participate in a fireside chat with anchor and voiceover artist Harish Bhimani, where she will share stories from her decades-long association with the music industry.
Helmed by Saras Communications, the event has been curated by Sandhya S. Kumar, who used to work in Doordarshan as an announcer. Like in 2025, proceeds from the event will go to a cause; this year, it is in aid of the HCG Cancer Foundation.
The event will also feature performances by Aaroh Shankar, Surojit Guha, Shruthi Bhide, Samanvitha Sharma and Naagachandrika Bhat.
Speaking from Mangaluru where she was performing, Kavita says she is excited to be a part of this event because of its novelty. “I know Sur Sandhya has been happening for a while now, and Sandhya is a good friend of mine. Apart from that, I will be talking to Harish, who is also a dear friend. I have never talked on stage. So, this would be a different experience, and I am looking forward to it.”
A versatile singer, who has sang across genres and languages, Kavita’s musical journey is filled with stories and lived experiences. When she looks back as an artiste, she feels there is always something to learn. “The learning never stops. I am married to a musician who is devoted to music, and I learn something new everyday.”
Even though there is no dearth of talent today, Kavita says, the importance that was given to music in the yesteryears was quite different. “A lot of actors were emotionally invested in music then, which is why the emotions were reflected in the songs as well. That has reduced now which is why one may not truly relate to songs now.”
Indie music, however, is doing well these days, she adds. “Everybody cannot get a break in Bollywood, but with the Indie music scene booming, it is great that a lot of artistes are coming into their own.”
Kavita believes some of the old songs are timeless because they were penned by great writers. “For instance, ‘O Sajana Barkha Bahar Aayi’ is something I will always remember because of its lyrics.”
Kavita says she always felt a sense of responsibility when I did playback for an actor. When I sang for Shabana Azmi or Sridevi or Madhuri Dixit, I always knew what emotions I had to bring out in my voice. Sridevi usually had a little mischief in whatever she did and Madhuri was always quite emotional. So, I had to ensure those emotions were expressed when I sang for them.”
Known for some of the most iconic songs in Bollywood such as ‘Dil Ne Kaha Chupke Se’, ‘Hawa Hawai’, ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’, ‘Tu Hi Re’, Kavita says she has not found the one song that she has not sung yet, and the search for it continues.
Sandhya says, she grew up listening to old Hindi songs, and her love for this genre goes back to her childhood. This is why in 2001, she approached Manna Dey who was living in Bengaluru then, to be part of her first edition. “This is how Sur Sandhya began, and since then, every year I organise this event and the proceeds go to aid different causes.”
Speaking from her home in Bengaluru, Sandhya says, “Cancer treatment is expensive , and it affects the whole family when a person is diagnosed with cancer. Being a cancer survivor myself, I know the physical, mental and financial toll cancer has on a family, and this event is my way of giving back to society.”
The event will also feature performances by Aaroh Shankar, Surojit Guha, Shruthi Bhide, Samanvitha Sharma and Naagachandrika Bhat.
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Special Arrangement
Sur Sandhya will be held at the Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts on February 14, at 6pm.
Published – February 12, 2026 09:32 am IST
