Watch: Sivamani breaks into impromptu performance at Kochi airport amid baggage delay

A passenger shared a video of Sivamani performing at the Kochi airport. (Image credit: Screengrabs from video posted on X by @SheetalMehta)

In a refreshing departure from the usual frustration that accompanies flight delays and cancellations, passengers at Kochi airport were pleasantly surprised on Wednesday when renowned percussionist Sivamani turned the inconvenience of a delayed baggage arrival into a delightful experience, doing an impromptu performance before passengers waiting at the conveyor belt.

“It’s been 40 minutes since we landed at Kochi airport and we are still waiting for our bags to come out. Instead of getting agitated we are getting entertained by a fellow passenger,” X user Sheetal Mehta posted, sharing a short clip of Sivamani’s performance. The 64-year-old musician used his drum sticks on the railings of the conveyor belt to drum up the beats of AR Rahman’s “Humma Humma” from the 1995 film, “Bombay”.

Several X users who watched the video were quick to point out to the person who shared the video that the person drumming inside the airport was not just any other “fellow passenger” but the iconic Sivamani.

“I would be very happy to get my luggage late if the legendary @drumssivamani were to enthrall like he did to lucky Sheetal and her co-passengers. More power to him as we need more such public places,” wrote Naandi Foundation’s CEO Manoj Kumar.

It’s been 40 minutes since we landed at Kochi airport and we are still waiting for our bags to come out. Instead of getting agitated we are getting entertained by a fellow passenger. pic.twitter.com/DJXe3rjFZZ

— Sheetal Mehta (@SheetalMehta) January 17, 2024

“Wow! Seldom does a baggage delay become a moment to cherish. Sivamani rocks,” wrote Lloyd Mathias.

Another X user, Ishwar Singh, wrote: “I don't think anyone would mind delays if Sivamani performs impromptu.”

In recent days, air travellers in India have faced massive flight delays, cancellations and overall chaos, mainly due to dense fog in Delhi and other parts of north India. Over a hundred flights were delayed and many cancelled in Delhi as dense fog and low visibility affected flight operations.