In January last year, Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas completed 40 long years of his career. With more than 50 albums under his belt and some ever-green film songs including `Chitthi Aayee Hai and `Jeeye To Jeeye Kaise, the singer was all set for a grand celebration -- 40 concerts across the country. However, he could do only one at the Nehru Stadium in Mumbai in January. "Things changed completely after Covid struck. Nobody could imagine," laments this Padma Shri recipient.

For someone who has always preferred live concerts, jumping the digital bandwagon, like many other singers was not really an option. "You just cannot create the right atmospherics in a virtual concert. There is no intimacy, no immediate feedback and no interaction with the audience," said Udhas.