Runa Laila lauds Zhilik’s spin on Mozart’s symphony note

In 2008, Zanita Ahmed Zhilik won the musical reality show, Channel i Shera Kontho. Since then, she has impressed audiences with her melodious voice. Recently, she shared a video on her Facebook profile, where she broke down one of the toughest notes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No 40, into Sargam. Mozart was a prolific and influential composer of the western classical era. The symphony was composed in 1788 on violin, in G minor, K 550. Zhilik's video received numerous likes and comments. It has garnered 22,000 views as of yet. Renowned singer Runa Laila commented on her video, calling the performance, "Truly commendable." She also shared the video over Whatsapp with singer and composer Bajinath Mangeshkar, nephew of the living legend Lata Mangeshkar and acclaimed singer Hariharan.

"On June 21, Samadipta Mukherjee, a musical artiste from West Bengal, shared a video, spinning the note into Sargam.  The video went viral. To be honest, it is very tough to convert a note originally composed in violin into Sargam," shares Zhilik, "but I wanted to take up the challenge. I watched the video and it took me an hour to memorise the whole note. After practicing, it took me three takes to make the video."

Zhilik was on cloud nine upon seeing that Runa Laila shared her video. "I feel blessed to receive Runa Ma'am's appreciation. We had a conversation over the phone. Hariharan sir replied to her, saying that my performance was brilliant. He also said that there must be a connection between Mozart and Bengal.  Zhilik mentioned that Lata Mangeshkar watching her video will be her greatest achievement.

Nowadays, Zhilik keeps herself motivated by posting live videos on social media and recording music over the phone, from home.

Additionally, Mozart's Symphony No 40 was borrowed by Salil Chaudhary in his composition Itna Na Mujh Se Tu Pyar Barha from the film Chhaya, in 1961. The track was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Talat Mahmood.