"This first-of-its-kind concert featured Bollywood favorites conducted by Symphony New Hampshire Music Director Roger Kalia in the packed Nashua Center for the Arts auditorium in Nashua, NH. “Harish Dang, who hosted Sounds of India radio show played Bollywood songs for over 40 years in Greater Boston, said that history was made in Nashua on Oct. 21. “The stage presence and the melodious voice of Anuradha took the audience by a storm.”

The first half featured selections from Symphony Masala, a reimagining of Bollywood songs arranged for the first time for symphony orchestra. The ten selections, drawn from 70 years of Bollywood history, aptly highlighted the diverse musical influences to be found in Bollywood music, from Indian classical ragas to swing, disco, hip-hop, tango, golden age Hollywood musicals, and even klezmer. This diversity of influences is reflected in the title, “masala” being a rich spice blend.

Layering Palakurthi’s Bollywood singing on top of the Westernized orchestral arrangements provided interesting juxtapositions throughout. The orchestra, led by an enthusiastic and animated Kalia, played with such polish that vocal soloist Palakurthi remarked that she felt like she was singing with a studio recording.

Palakurthi’s gentle, clear tone and impressive vocal agility brought the work to life. She shone especially in the bubbly final movement, “Aaya Diwali,” and the first movement, “Asato Ma,” a dreamy, incantatory rendition of an ancient Sanskrit peace mantra.

The seamless integration of Indian and Western music captivated the hearts of both traditional Bollywood music lovers and avid Western music enthusiasts. The symphony, along with Anuradha’s mesmerizing vocals, created a harmonious convergence that transcended cultural boundaries.