MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television’s India’s Best Dancer is currently ranked among the most popular shows on the small screen. This weekend, the show will celebrate ‘folk fusion’ theme and extend a warm welcome to Pop artists Guru Randhawa and Dhvani Bhanushali and veteran folk singer Illa Arun. The veteran singer has created records with her chartbusters tracks that have enthralled the listeners over the years. The guests thoroughly enjoyed watching the contestants’ spellbinding performances.

Amidst all the outstanding folk performances, on popular demand, the contestants requested Illa Arun if she could perform on her famous track – ‘Delhi Sheher Mein Maro Ghaghro Jo Ghumio’. Subhranil took the moment and said, “You are an inspiration to all of us. Back in the day when Indie Pop was a huge trend, when people were composing raps which were influenced by Western culture, you, on the other hand, established the folk form (as part of the pop culture). You popularised the Indian costumes, jewellery and culture especially with the Vote for Ghaghra song.” To which, she responded, “The idea was to always reach the younger generation of audience and popularise our folk culture. Even the song Bichooda was released in Hong Kong because it was a good mix of folk fusion as we wanted to reach the younger generation and Vote for Ghaghra also has modern beats but it basically means Ghaghra aurat ka vastra hi nahi, aurat ka shashtra hai….and has a deeper meaning with Marwari rap. It means women are not weak, women are powerful.”

Later, Subhranil requested the veteran singer to dance on stage with all the contestants. And, Illaji further requested Terence to join her on stage. Illa Arun performed gracefully alongside Terence and the contestants on the song “Delhi Sheher Main”, her presence and energy overshadowed everyone on the stage. After the performance Malaika Arora said, “You are simply brilliant.” Looking at Illa Arun’s energy, Terence Lewis was keen to know her age, but the singer shared an interesting story. Illa Arun said, “You can figure out my age by looking at my energy. Whenever people ask me about my age, I never tell them. The reason is that I don’t know it myself! My mother doesn't remember my birth date. I celebrate four birthdays according to what my relatives have told me. But for real, I celebrate it on March 15th, as that is what my father wrote on the birth certificate.”

Looking at the singer's positive outlook towards life, the judges, the contestants and the hosts were inspired.