India, Nov. 19 -- Every winter, Delhi's live music scene peaks with festivals and gigs, but this year, it is quieter and punctuated with coughing fits. With the AQI often over 400, the season meant for performances has become a battle to breathe. Parikrama's Subir Malik says this Delhi winter is brutal for musicians. "Singers' throats are their livelihood-if their throats suffer, the whole band can't play," he says. Nitin Malik of Katalyst Events says smog is causing cancellations, and artistes are anxious. He recalls a Gurugram show where a top artistes landed with a throat problem. "Being one of the greatest artistes and a fine human being, he pulled off the show," Nitin says. "But the next day he faced the same problem and we had to take him to a doctor and get him antibiotics," he adds. Mohit Bijlani, founder of Team Innovation, says air quality is now part of their risk protocol. "We now deploy temporary air-purification units, mist screens, dust-control setups, and eco-friendly generators to create safer micro-environments at venues," he adds. Euphoria's Palash Sen treats precaution as discipline. "I avoid cold, spicy food, sour pickles - and lean heavily on yoga and breathing exercises. We are living in times where if you can save yourself, then save yourself," he says. Kirtan artiste Radhika Das, who performed in Delhi over the weekend, says "I warmed up by limiting outdoors on high pollution days and rested my voice consciously"....