Thandi hawaaen warm up our hearts at Vinod’s Madhur Yaadein
Sweet Memories – Madhur Yaadein with ISGH members
By Kersi Meher-Homji
It was pure nostalgia as Vinod Rajput and his talented team of musicians lifted our mood skywards. Many of us seniors went back to our childhood as Vinod, Dr Reena Mehta, Pushpa Jagadish, Arun Nanda and Jagdeep Singh crooned old film numbers from Dulari in 1949 to Silsila in 1981.
Vinod set the tone with Suhani Raat and then Reena made us all hum Thandi Hawaaen with her. Of all songs I have heard at different concerts Thandi Hawaaen remains as the one I hum most, even days afterwards.
Reena Mehta and Vinod Rajput
Then it was Baiju Bawra time as Pushpa Jagadish lulled us to musical extravaganza with Bachpan ki mohabbat. No wonder she is described as the Lata Mangeshkar of Australia.
Pushpa Jagadish and Vinod Rajput keeping Sydney enthralled
Listening to Pushpa’s repertoire of musical versatility inspired me to interview her after the concert. The interview is presented separately also on The Indian Down Under website.
It is not possible to enumerate all the divine songs from the golden era but like everyone present I enjoyed the duets by Pushpa and Vinod, especially Dambhar jo idhar munh phere from Awaara and Ajaare ab mera dil pukara from Aah.
Then Vinod gave us a free Taxi Driver ride with Jaaen to jaaen kaha before he teamed up with Neera as the listeners clapped and tapped their toes in harmony when they sang Ramaiya vastavaiya maine dil tujko diya from Shri 420.
It was duet time again as Reena joined Arun Nanda in putting us in a romantic mood by singing Mujhe kitna pyaar hai tumse from Dil tera diwana.
I heard Jagdeep Singh for the first time and he looked an accomplished actor with his spectacular shirt and jaunty style. I enjoyed his Kishor Kumar style of histrionic rendering of Mere sapnoki raani from Aradhana and the Bobby classic Main shayar to nahi.
Vinod concluded Madhur Yaadein with the catchy Silsila number Ranga barasewhich brought quite a few listeners on the dance floor. The spontaneous dancing of Mr and Mrs Dave Passi as Vinod and Pushpa sang Ek pyaar ka nagma hai was the icing on the cake.
Rekha Rajvanshi entertained and educated us with her commentary. Deepa Kannan on violin, Venkat Tallapragada on tabla, Vinod on harmonium and Gamini Goonetilleka on percussion kept us entertained. Mahesh Mehta was the sound engineer. Every performer and helper was presented with a shawl and a gift.
The musical evening was presented by Indian Seniors Group, Hornsby and supported by The Indian Down Under.
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