The Viva Navratri Utsav, which concluded its two-week run in Vasai–Virar (it was held from 22^nd September to 2^nd October 2025), saved its most discerning act for the final night. Shifting from the high-octane energy of Garba, the festival closed with an evening of live stage music, anchored by the measured and masterful performance of singer and bassist Prasad Owhal.

Owhal’s appearance marked a significant return to his home state audience after establishing a strong presence on international cultural circuits. His set was not a spectacle of volume but a showcase of controlled musicality and unique vocal depth.

Beginning his set with a soulful, acoustic-style arrangement of Aaj Rang Hai, Owhal eschewed theatrics in favour of pure tone. His deep, grounded vocal quality carried powerfully across the open-air venue, lending a soulful, almost Sufi-like texture to the composition, a style he successfully integrates with Western techniques. This ability to fluidly cross-pollinate genres was further evident in his semi-classical interpretation of Man Mandira, delivered with striking clarity and understated power. As one organiser noted, "We wanted the last night to feel different... Prasad’s performance fit that perfectly."

The Rare Depth of a Cross-Cultural Voice

Prasad Owhal is a versatile vocalist and bassist specializing in both Western and Indian classical and contemporary music. What immediately set his performance apart was his voice, noted for its lower vocal register a rare quality he successfully applies to both Western music performance and Indian classical phrasing.

Artistic Excellence: From University Stages to High-Profile UK Platforms

Owhal’s technical mastery is founded on a record of high achievement in India, including securing 1st Prize in Qawwali at the competitive University of Mumbai Youth Festival. However, his recent professional trajectory places him as a notable Global Music Artist, evidenced by his swift and consistent engagement with high-profile UK civic and national platforms.

His track record includes a prominent role as a feature performer at the Scottish Ganpati Festival (SAMRAT) in Edinburgh, a major cultural event documented by the Consulate General of India and attended by the Consul General of India (CGI), the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and a Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP).

Further cementing his status in the Scottish civic sphere, he was also the featured singer at the high-level 'Cultural Harmony' event in Aberdeen, held in the distinguished presence of the Lord Provost. Demonstrating his national reach across the UK, Owhal also secured a confirmed in-person audition slot for the widely acclaimed Britain’s Got Talent, marking his access to one of the nation’s most prestigious televised stages. Owhal’s ability to secure and deliver at these professional, high-visibility cultural milestones is compelling proof of his growing status.

The set at Viva Navratri was a sincere demonstration of an artist whose roots in Mumbai run deep, but whose voice now resonates on significant global stages. Prasad Owhal is a compelling example of India’s contemporary talent, blending classical foundations with global ambition, and doing so with admirable control, restraint, and musical awareness.

By Verus Ferreira