I`m proud to be from Bihar: Daler Mehndi

Patna: Bhangra singer Daler Mehndi, who performed at the closing of the three-day Bihar Diwas celebrations here, says he is proud to be born in Patna. "I am proud that I`m from Patna Sahib (Patna City). It is only your love that has given us this opportunity to perform back in my hometown," Mehndi told a crowd while performing last night. Born in Patna City (now Patna Sahib), the 45-year-old rose from the bylanes of the Patna Sahib gurudwara to become a performer of international stature. "I come from the bylanes of Harmandir Gali and Gurudwara Gali in the Patna Sahib, the holy birthplace of Sri Guru Govind Singhji, I have now reached this level. But, I do not consider myself a celebrity or a star. All my learning of raag and taal took place here in Patna," the singer said. Sporting a pink turban and a black robe, Mehndi brought the curtains down to the three-day extravaganza by belting out his 90s chartbusters. He also mixed famous Bollywood numbers with old popular Bhojpuri tracks. So, a `Jod Ka Jhatka` from `Action Replayy` was laced with `Kaun disa main leke chal hai batohiya` from the landmark Bhojpuri film `Nadiya Ke Par`. Or, a `Na Na Na Na Na Re Na Re` was fused with vernacular strains of `Chalat Musafir Moh Liye Re` from `Teesri Kasam`. "I have seen him growing up in the bylanes of Harmandir Gali, and his days of struggle in Patna City of those days when he used to sing there," said Mridula, who attended the concert. Earlier in the evening, Hindustani classical music singer Shubha Mudgal entertained the crowd with her songs. Her tracks like `Abke Sawan`, `Mann Ke Manjeere` and `Rangeelo Maro Dholna` made Mudgal an instant hit among the audience. The festival also saw Bollywood singers Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik performing on the first and second day respectively. Started a few years ago, Bihar Diwas 2013 marks the hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the state which was born on March 22, 1912. PTI