Vivacity, enthusiasm and the passion to satisfy the audience were in the air as one of the finest singers of the younger generation performed in Auckland last month.
Melody Entertainment and Vani Creations deserve credit for organising a stupendous concert by Abhas Joshi at the Dorothy Winstone Centre of Auckland Girls Grammar School on June 19.
The 19-year-old singing sensation lived up to his promise, justifying the title of the show, Raga & Rock, encouraging a cross-section of the audience to get up and dance.
In what was a departure from the norm, the main artiste rendered 29 out of 35 numbers, with the audience calling for an encore.
Om Srivatsav, Ritika Badakere, Sneha Mahajan and Vishnu Priya Mallela were among the vocalists who accompanied him.
Other performers were Alex James (Electric Drums) Basant Madhur (Tabla), Hemant Thaker (Keyboard), Jocel Alex (Acoustic Drums), Partha Kanjilal (Tabla), Peter Paul (Dholak) and Sanjay Chand (Base Guitar).
Abhas’ brother Shreyas rendered vocal and instrumental (Keyboard) support.
Abhas started the show with Main Jahaan Rahoon (from ‘Namastey London’), he went on to render Sajda (‘My Name is Khan’) to a wide round of applause. Phool Gendwa Na Maaro (‘Dooj Ka Chand’) and Parda Hai Parda (Amar Akbar Anthony) set the pace for the rest of the evening.
Hum Kale Hai To Kya Hua (‘Gumnaam’), Ek Chatur Naar (‘Padosan’) and Dekha Na Hai Re (‘Bombay to Goa’) and Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re (‘Teesri Kasam’) brought back the golden age of music in Hindi films.
Om Srivatsav and Ritika Rao were outstanding in their respective numbers Bindu Re Bindu Re Bindu (‘Padosan’) and Thode Badmash Ho Tum (‘Saawariya’), while their duet song Billo Rani (‘Goal’) and Rock N Soniye (‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’) with Abhas had a section of the audience dance on stage.
Sneha Mahajan and Vishnu Priya Mallela also proved their prowess with Nigahie Milane Ko (‘Dil Hi To Hai’) and Yeh Ishk Hai (‘Jab We Met’).
Among the highlights of the evening was the release of ‘Sai Bhajans,’ an album of songs rendered by Ritika Badakere.
“This is a great achievement for a young singer,” Abhas said, releasing the album.
Titled, Sai Se Laagi Lagan, the CD also features teenager Mayuri Bhole. Produced by Vani Creations Limited, it is available at Yogiji’s Food Mart in Mt Roskill.
A review of the album will appear in our next issue.
