Suneheri Yaadein reinstates the need to promote local talent

A belated Review

Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 8, 2024

This year’s Edition of Suneheri Yaadein justified a growing sentiment among our people: that there is abundant histrionic talent inherently and that this talent must be nurtured, encouraged and replaced with foreign content.

The event, held on August 10, 2024 at SkyCity Theatre not only paid tributes to the late Music Director Roshan and his son Rajesh Roshan but also raised the profile of eight singers and a nine-member band whose melodious voices and perfect delivery of musical scores respectively regaled our people.

Suneheri Yaadein brought the memories of two musical legends of the Hindi film industry and the competence and confidence of its organisers.

And with Stutie (Junoo) Sharma as the Master of Ceremonies, there was never a dull moment. While nostalgia is often emotional, her vivacity is always invigorating.

Magic on Demand

If good music contributes to golden memories, this year’s event, constructed under the theme Jab Chhaye Mera Jadoo (My Magic on Demand) had the inimitable taste and style of our accomplished singers Sandhya Badakere and Ravi Shetty.

While the late Roshan belonged to the 1950s and 1960s, an era of high-quality lyrics and judicious choice of instruments that delivered mellifluous music, his son Rajesh enticed the ensuing generations by lifting the loft standards of music. The two Roshans have given music lovers a treasure house of more than 1000 songs which will stand the test of time.

Sandhya is a renowned singer and teacher and her Swar Sadhana Music Academy of Music has been a citadel for music enthusiasts over the past 16 years, it has honed the musical talent of hundreds of students (Ravi is one of them) and turned them into teachers, performers and patrons of the art.

Suneheri Yaadein 2024 was a testimony to Sandhya and Swar Sadhana to identify the ‘component of musical competence’ of the eight singers and exploit them fully for their benefit and the appreciation of the audience. The singers were taught to execute the Swaras and Ragas in each song rendered and voice-trained to retain the quality of the original playback singers. Mention must also be made of the late Sanjay Badakere who conceptualised the Programme and delivered it annually until he died in 2020.

Rahe Na Rahe: A Masterpiece

The song, ‘Rahe Na Rahe Hum,’ rendered almost to the likeness of the Late Lata Mangeshkar was the highlight of the programme.

Sandhya brought memories and tears, doing justice to one the finest compositions of Roshan for the 1966 film Mamta. Picturised on Ashok Kumar and Sucharita Sen, the song had two versions- the second filmed on Dharmendra and Sucharita Sen.

Based on Raga (or Raag) Pahadi, ‘Rahe Na Rahe Hum’ captures an appreciation of transience, framed as a neglect yet wonderous consequence of continuity and highlights the transcendence of attachment to worldly phenomena such as seasons, physical proximity and even time. This Raga is like a lover, unruffled in union, serene in separation, powerful enough to achieve eternal union, but resigned to the painful parting ordained by destiny.

Sandya’s students (some of them fellow teachers in her Academy) – Ekta Kumar, Gopal Nair, Rachit Bhatia, Ravi Shetty, Renuka Deshpande, Shikha Shetia and Vibha Trivedi were at their career best at the programme.

They were joined by Rhea Lalani, Mayuri Bhole, Eesha Mahimkar, Margi Kaushik and Ravneet Kaur, Ekta Kumar and Shikha Shethia and their opening number Devi Vandana was divine.

Our Singers

Vibha’s rendition of ‘Nigahen Milane Ko Jee Chahata Hai,’ taken from the 1963 film Dil Hi To Hai was reminiscent of Asha Bhonsle. Set to Raag Yaman, Roshan brought the essence of Qawwali, Sufi and Ghazal in this all-female song. Raag Yaman is fundamental to Hindustani Classical Music and many music schools use this song as an example.

Ravi Shetty proved yet again his ability to render musically difficult numbers such as ‘Jab Kisiko Kisise Pyaar Ho Jay,’ tuned by Roshan for Julie, a blockbuster of 1975. The late K S Sethumadhavan directed Julie and its original Malayalam film Chattakari (1974). His son Sonu Kumar, who lives in Auckland will be happy to read this review.

Aarti, released in 1962, was a film that brought villains out of circumstances, victimising hapless people into submission. Meena Kumari (on whom this song was picturised with Pradeep Kumar) was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award). Rachit Bhatia, who is proving his success as an authentic voice of Mohammed Rafi presented the song effortlessly.

There were 23 other songs of Roshan and his son Rajesh at Suneheri Yaadein 2024 and each of them drew applause. Among the memorable ones are ‘My Heart Is Beating’ (from Julie) sung by Ekta Kumar, ‘Saari Saari Raat’ by Renuka Deshpande (Film Aji Bas Shukriya) and ‘Saara Zamana’ (from Yaarana) by Ravi.

Gopal Nair is emerging as a singer with great promise, the proof of which was his rendition of ‘Jo Baat Tujhme Hai,’ a great number from Taj Mahal, the most successful film of 1963. Taj Mahal was noted for its songs the most famous of which was ‘Jo Wada Kiya To’ (Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar). This song will remain among the best of the two singers and the musical director. Gopal has the potential to become the voice of the yesteryear singers.

‘Saara Zamana’ presented by Ravi (Yaarana) and Mungda with Shikha Shetia (from Inkaar, with the original rendered by Usha Mangeshkar) were notable.

Our bands are a source of pride and joy, strengthening our belief that local talent is par excellence and hence the need for self-content. Suneheri Yaadein 2024 is a strong advocate, with a band of professional players. Among them were Darshan Lange (Rhythm Guitar), Everard Fernando (Base Guitar), Hemant Thaker (Keyboard), Joscel Alexander (Drums), Mihir Patel (Keyboard), Navneel Prasad (Tabla), Nigel Kishore (Octopad), Prashant Datt (Dholak) and Ravi Shah (Lead Guitar)

About Suneheri Yaadein

The following is from our Archives:

The Programme was organised by Swar Sadhana Academy (of which Sandhya is the Director and Principal) and Ravi Shetty Concepts (an entertainment company that Ravi established in 2017) with the twin objectives of providing quality shows and fostering local talent. Ravi has however been a part of the show from his formative years.

Quality is embellished by commitment and loyalty in every edition of Suneheri Yaadein (save for three, Indian Newslink has promoted all events since its launch), reflecting the penchant and an almost religious passion that the late Sanjay invested in creating this musical phenomenon.

The Suneheri Yaadein brand has paid tributes to various music directors, producers and directors of the Hindi film industry. These include Sachin Dev Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Madan Mohan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Rahul Dev Burman, Raj Kapoor and many others.

Over the years, Suneheri Yaadein has supported many worthy causes through its proceeds.