In a soul-stirring musical evening at the Karavali Utsav 2025, legendary singer Sonu Nigam shared a deeply personal bond with Karnataka, leaving the massive crowd at Tagore Beach in tears of joy. Performing on the third day of the festival, the singer paused between his iconic hits to express his profound gratitude for the love he has received from the state over the last three decades.
"I have been singing thousands of songs for the past 25 to 30 years, but Kannada holds a very special place in my heart," a visibly emotional Sonu Nigam told the audience. He went on to make a touching revelation: "The opportunity I have been given to sing such beautiful Kannada songs makes me feel like I must have been a Kannadiga in my previous birth."
Despite living in Mumbai, the singer emphasized that he never treats Kannada songs as mere lyrics. He explained that he strives to understand the deep meaning and emotion behind every word to ensure the soul of the song remains intact. In a humble gesture that earned a thunderous standing ovation, he requested the audience to forgive him if his pronunciation or expression ever faltered while performing on stage.
Sonu Nigam further surprised the crowd by stating that his collection of "melodious Kannada songs" is even more vast than his Hindi hits. "If I were to sing only my Kannada songs, I have enough material to perform non-stop for six hours," he remarked. Keeping his promise to the fans, he delivered a balanced setlist of both Kannada and Hindi blockbusters, ensuring the night was a perfect blend of nostalgia and linguistic pride. By the end of the concert, his emotional words and flawless renditions had once again solidified his status as Karnataka’s favorite "adopted son."
