More than 500 people attended a musical concert in Auckland on Saturday, February 22 to witness varied talent among the younger members of the community and help in the efforts of a lone individual to raise funds for a religious project.
Called, ‘Musical Journey,’ the four-hour programme held at the Auckland Normal Intermediate School Hall raised about $4200, which organiser Nadesan Nanthakumar donated to the New Zealand Thirumurugan Temple Society in aid of its Temple, under construction in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere.
Personal initiative
He handed over the amount to Society President Kumar Kumarasamy at the end of the programme.
Mr Nadesan told us that he met all expenses related to the show out of his personal account and that his desire was to ensure that the Temple Trust and Management complete the Project as soon as possible.
The show comprised a number of new and old songs culled from Tamil films. It was a showcase of local talent.
Among the finest numbers were ‘Kurai Onrum Ellai,’ a song composed by the late Sri C Rajagopalachari (the first and last Governor General of independent India), ‘Oruvan Oruvan Muthalali’ (from ‘Puthia Mugam’) and ‘Enna Enna Varthaigalo’ (from ‘Vennira Aadai’) were among my favourites.
The singers were Ahranni Sivakumar, Alexshana Sivarajah, Amirtha Srinivasan, Anusha Suresh Ramachandra, Ashshaya Pushparajah, Balu Mallela, Gaarunyaa Uthayakumar, Kaviya Balaraman, Keeran Sivakumar, Kierrtana Sivakumar, Krishna Sudheer, Meerah Yogakumar, Pavan Mani, Rama Yogakumar, Roma Nory, Shalini Ketheeswaran, Shanika Gnanakumar, Sivani Surendran, Synthia Sivakumar, Vethahi Arunthayaparan, Vishalini Gunadas and Vishnupriya Mallela.
Supporting artistes
The orchestra included Music Director Madan Mohan (Keyboard & Synthesiser), Dr Suresh Ramachandra (Mridangam), Basant Madhur (Tabla), Vindhya Suresh Ramachandra (Veena), Balu Mallela (Ghatam), Anthony Yempee (Lead Guitar), Diya Yempee (Rhythm Guitar), Shivam Padayachi (Bass Guitar), Vishnu Sreekumar (Percussion), Joseph Alexander (Electronic Drums), Joscel Alexander (Acoustic Drums), Geerthana Nanthakumar (Synthesiser & Violin), Divya Nanthakumar (Keyboard & Violin) and Manisha Nanthakumar (Keyboard & Violin).
Arumugarajah Yogakumar managed the sound system.
Anuradha Sureshchandra was impressive as the Master of Ceremonies.
Mr Nanthakumar and his team deserve credit for having put up a programme for a noble cause. He hopes to continue the Musical Journey.
Photo :
1. Participants in the Programme
2. Nadesan Nandakumar with Kumar Kumarasamy
Pictures by Mervin Constantine
