As the curtains rise at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on September 19, a sold-out crowd will witness a heartfelt celebration of one of India's most iconic voices — Kishore Kumar. The man leading this tribute, singer Shaan, isn’t just performing songs; he’s paying homage to a voice that shaped his own. Titled "Forever Kishore – Shaan Se", the concert marks Shaan's first-ever full-length tribute to his idol and, as he calls him, his “first guru.”
While the evening promises nostalgia and melody, Shaan also took this moment to reflect on a deeper issue in today’s music industry the increasing interference in the creative process, especially by people with little or no musical understanding.
“There was a time,” Shaan says, “when composers had complete freedom. Once they were brought on board for a film, they were trusted with the music. They would sit with the team, understand the situation, and lock the songs accordingly. The composer then had the space to create, based on their instinct and musical vision. There wasn’t too much interference.”
“Today, there is just too much interference — and most of it comes from non-musical people. That is where the real trouble begins. If you’ve chosen someone for a project, let them do their job. There’s no need to dominate or hover over them constantly. Give them that freedom. Only then can the best music come out.”
His words resonate like a cautionary tale — a reminder that creativity thrives on trust, not control.
He continues, drawing a parallel between eras:“Every era gives us a few songs that become timeless classics. Some songs come and go, they become hits but soon fade. But our cultural legacy, our tradition of music, isn’t limited to just film songs. It’s much deeper.”
For Shaan, this tribute to Kishore Kumar is not just a performance. It’s a full-circle moment. Growing up under the influence of Kishore Da’s music, he calls this concert a “deeply emotional experience” — one where he gets to honour not only a voice but a philosophy of music-making that trusted instincts over interference.
"Forever Kishore – Shaan Se" promises to be more than just a concert. It’s a musical statement. A reminder that while times change, the soul of music — when left free — never fades.
And perhaps, in Shaan’s powerful voice echoing the timeless melodies of Kishore Kumar, audiences will feel a little closer to an era where music was made with heart, not oversight.