Music and stage master at it again

When he announced his retirement two years ago, his peers, students and admirers challenged him, saying that he would find it tough to stay away from providing opportunities for home-grown talent and youngsters to shine on stage; and more importantly, he would find it impossible to stay away from organising shows to raise money for charity.

Amit Sengupta is an accountant by qualification with a past career, but he is better known as a musician par excellence, with deep-rooted association with many celebrities, notably the late Mohammed Rafi and Pandit Ravi Shankar.

His penchant for quality will again be tested at a music and dance concert, scheduled to be held at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

Careful selection

A team of 29 singers, musicians and dancers are participating in the three-hour event, to render songs and dance sequences that have enthralled millions of people around the world over the past six decades.

Called, ‘Old is Gold,’ the forthcoming concert is sixth in a series, featuring 31 songs, each of which has been selected by Mr Sengupta to ensure that while elders regale in nostalgia, youngsters would appreciate the value of music in a bygone era.

Father-Child Duos

“The most significant aspect of ‘Old is God’ (VI) is that it would feature father-child partnership, not often heard in local concerts.

“The father-son/daughter combination will hopefully take Old is Gold to greater height. Among them are Rajesh Bhatia and son Rachit (singers), Dr Hubert D’Cruz (singer) and son Jeremi (Acoustic Drums), Joseph Alexander (Alex- Electronic Drums) and son Joscel (Acoustic Drums), Anthony Yempee (Lead Guitar) and daughter Diya (Rhythmic Guitar) and Jasveer Singh and daughter Guncha Kaur (singers),” he said.

Three dance numbers, by choreographer Ratna Venkat, Nirmita Ghose and Upasana Chowdhury, will be a special feature of the show, he added.

The dance numbers, ‘Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta,’ ‘Mohe Panghat Pe’ and ‘Dhoondo Dhoondo Re Sajna,’ will be supported by singers and musicians.

Starship Children

As in the past, proceeds of the show will be donated to Starship Foundation.

Sarah Woodhams, Donor Partnership Manager of the Foundation said that Starship is New Zealand’s only specialist children’s hospital.

“It is the last hope for some of our most vulnerable children. Your support will ensure that Starship remains a world class medical facility for all children by contributing towards funding for state-of-the-art technology, world class facilities and highly trained staff,” she said.

Mr Sengupta has so far donated $26,001 to the Foundation which provides care for ailing children.

Further information about the programme will appear in our ensuing editions.