Music for a cause: Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer bring music and purpose together at NCPA

Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer bring music and purpose together at NCPA for Melodies for ChangeThere was an easy warmth in the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre at the NCPA on Thursday evening as Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shriram Iyer took the stage for Melodies for Change. It was one of those evenings when the music did more than fill a theatre; it brought an audience together around a purpose that extended beyond the concert hall.The singers moved effortlessly between moods and eras, beginning with popular Hindi numbers before dipping into familiar retro favourites. Aaj Ki Raat, Kabhi Shaam Dhale, Bol Na Halke Halke, Falak Tak and Mitwa had the audience settling into the rhythm of the evening, while classics such as Lag Ja Gale and Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar brought a touch of nostalgia.The mood shifted when the duo moved into the regional repertoire. Sairaat Zhala Ji and Apsara Aali brought a distinctly Marathi flavour to the evening, followed by a flute feature that offered a quieter musical interlude before the energy rose again with Dum a Dum Mast Kalandar.And then came the songs that got people visibly tapping their feet. Dum Maro Dum, Galla Goodiyaan, London Thumakda and Tare Gin Gin turned the concert into an upbeat celebration, with the stage coming alive with movement and rhythm. The evening built towards a spirited finale with Jai Ho and Hindustani, leaving the audience on an unmistakably high note.But this concert was never meant to be just another evening of popular music. The concert was organised around an NGO's work towards village integration and transformation, with education, healthcare, livelihood and environmental initiatives at its core.For Mahalakshmi Iyer, the appeal lay in bringing music and purpose into the same space. “There is something very special about performing live and seeing an audience connect with a song in that moment. Melodies for Change brought music and a meaningful purpose together,” she said.Shriram Iyer echoed the sentiment, saying, “Music has always been about connection — between the artist, the song and the audience. This show gave us an opportunity to create that connection on stage while also supporting a meaningful cause."MAHALAKSHMI IYER'S SET LIST:- Kabhi Shaam Dhale-Aaj Ki Raat- Bol Na Halke Halke- Falak Tak- Mitwa- Lag Ja Gale- Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar- Sairaat Zhala Ji- Apsara Aali- Dum a Dum Mast Kalandar- Dum Maro Dum- Galla Goodiyaan- London Thumakda- Tare Gin Gin- Jai Ho- HindustaniGet the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!