A real musical treat awaited those lucky enough to bag seats in the India Habitat Centre’s Stein Auditorium Friday evening. A piano recital by Delhi’s latest music sensation, Gauri Kappal, had 
the audience enthralled throughout and literally begging for more as the show came to an end. The recital was Gauri’s ode to love, the purest expression of human existence, and she had chosen to play some timeless Bollywood classics that have come to be synonymous with love and longing, romance and desire.
The concert commenced with the invocation of the Lord Almighty, the greatest symbol of love that can ever be, andGauri delivered a beautiful rendition of Vaishnava Jan, herfavourite bhajan. She then followed it up with evergreen love songs like Ae dil mujhe bata de, Lag Ja Gale and Jahan meinjaati hoon. The high point of the evening was Gauri’s singing act, taking the mic for the soulful number Meri Jaan, as she continued to weave wonder on the piano. The audience washaving a great time and seen singing along to popular numbers like Shola jo Bhadke, even taking to the stage for the grand finale, dancing and crooning to everyone’s favourite Aaj KalTere Mere Pyaar. The finale didn’t mark the end of the evening though. The wonderful audience was unwilling to let Gauri leave so soon and asked her to play some of their favouritenumbers as well. Accompanying Gauri on stage were the table artist, Mohsin Khan and guitarist, Jaideep Lakhtakia. The triowas a raging success and managed to create scintillating music through the evening
The chief guest for the concert was Padma Shri ShovanaNarayan, one of India’s finest Kathak dancers. Brian Silas,Gauri’s teacher and mentor for many years, was a special guest and his presence was especially significant to Gauri on this important occasion. The evening was hosted by Rahul Kumar,an old student of Gauri’s and a very dear friend. What was especially beautiful about the recital was the warmth and exuberance being exuded by each member involved in the process. The evening was truly a labour of love and Gauri had surrounded herself with friends, family and students who looked on proudly as Gauri created magic on the piano. It was this personal touch that really struck a chord with the audience.