HEARTBEATS – Celebrating the Evolution of Rhythm & Romance in Hindi Cinema

@raziaboston

I’ve known Rajiv Gangurde for more than a decade now, and one thing has always stood out — his humility, kindness, passion for music (especially Hindi film songs), and above all, his beautiful humanity. Through all these years, one thing that has never changed is his warmth, love, and respect.

On November 8th, Rajiv once again organized his signature musical event “Heartbeats”, an evening dedicated to the magic of Bollywood music. It was a fantastic, high-energy night — filled with soulful melodies, powerful performances, and heartfelt passion. The song selection, presentation, and singing were absolutely superb. Every year, Rajiv raises the bar higher — proof of his deep love for music and his commitment to excellence.

As Rajiv beautifully said during the event, “Supporting local talent is important” I would add in it that, “it’s a responsibility of every community.”  This year, the stage truly reflected that vision — featuring some outstanding local musicians:

🎵 Angshuman Parashar (Bass)
🎵 Bharat Lagu (Tabla)
🎵 Hiral Parikh (Octapad)
🎵 Manish Kurup (Guitar)
🎵 Nikhil Pendharkar (Keyboard)
🎵 Raahil Parikh (Drums)

A special mention to Raahil Parikh — a young high schooler who performed like a seasoned professional! Born and raised in the U.S., he matched every beat with perfection, performing non-stop for over three hours — a truly remarkable feat!

Another moment that gave me goosebumps was seeing Ashwini Paranjape-Ranade perform with boundless energy, alongside Suzana Naik, Raghu Saranathan, and of course, Rajiv Gangurde himself. Despite being pregnant, Ashwini was radiant and unstoppable — she literally set the stage on fire!

Having organized shows myself, I know firsthand how talented Suzana, Raghu, and Rajiv are — but hearing Ashwini for the first time was a wonderful experience.

Rajiv Bro, I’m an even bigger fan of your singing now — your music, your energy, and your love for people are truly unbeatable. Thank you for making our evening so memorable and for having us in your musical journey.

And a heartfelt shoutout to Pranoti Gangurde — not just your life partner but truly the backbone of your musical path. I could see her support shining through every moment last night.

Already looking forward to next year’s Heartbeats! 💖🎤