Thursday, December 23 2004 16:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: She has an ear for good music, but cannot attend concerts any more as the rough and tumble of politics has taken its toll.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi likes Hindustani Classical music and prefers vocal than instrumental. She had attended many concerts in Delhi along with her late husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Classical singers Kishori Amonkar and Pandit Jasraj are her favourites and she also likes Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Gandhi says.

In an informal chat with reporters at the residence of NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) Chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar last night where Pandit Jasraj's concert was held, the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson regretted that she could no longer afford to attend such music festivals due to a hectic schedule.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and several Union Ministers, including Shivraj Patil and P R Dasmunshi, and MPs were among those who attended the concert.

Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh were present at the get together, which preceded the concert.