Lata Mangeshkar would have loved it here!

Ratna Venkat –

ratna@indiannewslink.co.nz

In the world of music, especially those of the film variety, Lata Mangeshkar occupies a position of great respect and prominence. With more than 30,000 songs rendered in more than 35 languages to her credit, organising an event to pay homage to her inimitable talent is a challenge in itself.

She is the only singer after the late M S Subbulakshmi to be conferred ‘Bharat Ratna,’ India’s highest civilian honour.

Vidya Teke, Principal & Director of Auckland based Aarohi Academy of Music created a hat trick on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School not only doing justice to the famous singer but also providing an opportunity for local talents to grow.

The music concert, titled, ‘Khamoshiyaan Gun Gunane Lagi,’ was third in an annual series, bringing together a cross-section of the society.

Singers of Merit
Following an invocatory number by Meena Basrur, Neha Meher and Rekha Maheshwari, Vidya set the pace for a melodious evening with ‘Jago Mohan Pyare,’ a lilting number from ‘Jagte Raho’ (a 1956 film starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis) and ‘Pawan Diwani Na Maane’ (Dr Vaidya, 1962 with Vyjayanthimala and Manoj Kumar). Both songs were known for their classical notes, dealt with superb talent.

Guncha Singh proved to be another singer of merit when she performed ‘Jaane Kya Baat Hai’ (Sunny, 1984, featuring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh). This song later became a highlight of an Album titled, ‘Unforgettable Lata Mangeshkar.’

Guncha appeared a while later with Joseph Jose to present ‘Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera,’ one of the most popular songs tuned by the late Sachin Dev Burman. Picturised on Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore for ‘Aradhana’ (1969), this song was an all-time favourite of producer-director Shakti Samanta.

Joseph Jose is fast gaining the reputation of possessing the voice of Kishore Kumar and his effortless rendition of the great singer’s songs is receiving favourable reviews.

Rhea Maheshwari drew wide applause as she sang, ‘Bhai Battur,’ a memorable Lata Mangeshkar song from the 1968 Hindi hit film ‘Padosan.’ It is not generally acknowledged that ‘Padosan’ was a shot-by-shot remake of the 1960 Tamil film ‘Adutha Veetu Penn,’ which itself was a remake of ‘Pakkinti Ammaye,’ a Telugu film released in 1953.

Other Performers

Composition of music is such a creative thing that songs tend to be known for its singer’s quality, or orchestration. On such a note, ‘Ab Toh Hai Tumse Har Khushi Apni,’ sung by Simran Shah (the original was performed by Lata picturised on Jaya Bhaduri), threw the limelight on Joseph Alexander who created magic on his Octopad.

Among the other notable songs in the first half were ‘Maine Kahan Phoolon Se’ by Aaishani Kotak (from 1975 film Mili), ‘Dikhayi Diye Yun Ke Bekhud Kiya’ sung by Rekha Maheshwari (from Bazaar, 1982) and ‘Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai’ by Shweta Divekar-Shirsat and Joseph Jose (Aandhi, 1975), the last of which showed Joseph in his elements.

Jai Puranik and Shriya Bhagwat-Chitale were the Masters of Ceremonies.

Another milestone

‘Khamoshiyaan Gun Gunane Lagi III’ added another milestone in the musical journey of Vidya and her husband Shekhar Babanrao Teke.

Their Live-in-Concert Series propagates awareness of Lata’s dedication to music amongst the Indian community in New Zealand. The annual event also celebrates the birthday of Lata (September 28).

The Concert had its initial moments of anxiety with sound issues which were later corrected. Light effects were ‘touching,’ especially when Vidya rendered ‘Nindiya Si Jaagi Bahar’ (Hero, 1983) and Bengali fusion of ‘O Sajana Barkha Bahaar’ (Parakh, 1960)

The live orchestra comprised Hemant Thaker (Keyboard), Jay Sharma (Harmonium), Joscel Alexander (Acoustic Drums), Joseph Alexander (Octopad), Navneel Prasad (Tabla), Rezwan Ashraf (Guitar), Shivan Padayachi (Bass Guitar) and Swarali Pande (Percussion).

With Reporting by Venkat Raman; Pictures by Meghna Muralimohan