Gaurav Bangia and Amruta Natu create Ameen Sayani nostalgia for Sydneysiders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Manju Mittal

Popular Radio Presenter Ameen Sayani’s Geetmala Concert was organised by Gurudutt Shenoy and Vijay Gumber of Rass Events. It captivated the house full audience at C3 Church Silverwater hall on April 9, 2016. This memorable evening was sponsored by Rahul Jethi Bank of Queensland, Simeran Singh Fortune World Travel, Ravinder Pal Singh Bakers Delight,  Suren Pather,  Sumo Group,  Yateender Gupta,  Starin Group  and was supported by Sanjay Deshwal and Select Insurance. Ekal Vidyalaya was the Charity Partner.

A night of soulful numbers and nostalgia was created with melodies of legendary music directors to give a befitting tribute to legendary music directors such as RD Burman, SD Burman, O P Nayyar, Madan Mohan, Laxmikant Pyarelal and many more. Old songs were brought back to life in quick sucession as the jam packed audience loved each and every song that wassung. Sydney’s Anu Chabbra was the emcee for the evening. Presenter of the event Gurudutt Shenoy, seeing the response, said that he plans to host ”˜Geetmala part 2’ in the near future.

Two talented singers Gaurav Bangia and Amruta Natu along with music director Jaspal Moni and musicians had the audience completely mesmerised. Gaurav’s voice is highly intoxicating his style of singing reminds one of Sonu Nigam. Amruta delighted the audience with her fresh soothing voice and heart warming smile.

Gaurav Bangia came to light at ”˜Saregama’ TV reality show, when he was declared runner up in 2001 and became the finalist in the same programme winning in 10 episodes of ”˜Saregama’. His well known albums are ”˜Mann Mera’, ”˜Sab Chalta Hai’ and ”˜Future to Bright Ha’. Amruta has won Zee TV ”˜Saregama’ competition in 1995 judged by the music legend Naushad Ali. Amruta has also won inter-collegiate prestigious competition in Pune the Purushottam trophy and Firodia trophy as ”˜Best Singer’. Amruta was the finalist of Marathi Saregamapa ”˜Ajj cha awaaz’ on Zee Marathi. She was also nominated for Best Playback Singer for Maharashtra Government award 2009 for the film ”˜Vavatal’.

TIDU interviewed this talented duo about their music as young stars of an emerging India.

First of all, welcome to Aussie land. Tell us your experience performing to a packed out Sydney ”˜Geetmala Concert’?

Gaurav: I’d have to say performing in front of very warm & encouraging audience of Sydney was just out of this world. It’s been such a joy ride and I had an instant connection with audience which was very comforting.

Amruta: I really enjoyed myself inside the concert hall, the moment I stepped on stage I felt the audience were very encouraging which was quite overwhelming for me. It was the most exhilarating evening.

Tell us about your journey. At what age you both started singing?

Gaurav: I started singing at the age of 10. I moved to Mumbai from Delhi to make a career in singing. My family has always supported me to follow my passion. I learnt classical music under Shri Mandhup Mudgal, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi and I have been trained in light music under Pandit Inder Narayan Sharma. I am still undergoing training in classical music. I moved to Mumbai in 2000 and continued my training under Shri Mohinderjit Singh. Besides singing I have also learnt guitar and piano as well.

Amruta: From my childhood I have been intensely involved in music under the guidance of my grandmother Late Smt.Indirabai Khadilkar, a renowned classical exponent, Smt. Manjushree Khadilkar, an international acclaimed Keertankar and my elder brother Tyagaraj Khadilkar. They all inspired me a lot. I have also learnt Kathak dance from Shri Badriprasad Kulkarni for eight years. I recorded my first song ”˜Nar-vara Krishna Saman’ a naytageet at the age of three at Pune Akashwani Kendra.

You both have won TV reality show ”˜Saregama’, Can you tell us about what you have been up to since?

Gaurav: I have done many shows in India, I have set up my own music production house called AURA through which I have been successfully producing Jingles and corporate songs of reputed companies like Tata Chemicals, Birla White, Godrej, Gokul Oils etc. AURA has conceptualized several concept based stage shows and is hosting them on a continuing basis all over the country. AURA has designed the event ”˜Geetmala ke Amar Sangeetkar devised by Ameen Sayani, the legendry voice of Radio waves, paying tribute to 12 outstanding music directors of yesteryears.

Amruta: I have recorded English Albums for ”˜East light’ and ”˜Temple tree’ composed by Australian composer Kelvin Brown. I have hosted a musical show on ETV Marathi Channel ”˜Saptasur-Ek Sargam’ in 2003-04. I have done ”˜Gao Mere Sang’as lead singer with Anu Kapoor for the Dubai based channel ”˜Jeeyo’ which is aired in Pakistan, Gulf and Europe. I have also participated in the program ”˜Waar Pariwar’ on Sony television, hosted by Urmila Matondkar. I have performed in various programs on Zee Marathi, Star Maaza, Doordarshan Sahyadri, Daam, Star Pravah. I have sung the song Jai Amba in album released in Germany.

What do you have to say about today’s songs?

Gaurav: This is an age of technology and every era has produced songs which people of that generation can relate to. Personally I was always fascinated by old songs, I feel that singing the songs of the legendary singers like Kishore Kumar, Rafi, Talat Mehmood, Mukesh is in itself a riyaaz and an enriching and enlightening experience which has helped me assimilate and absorb the best in those singers.

Amruta: I feel Western influence and the internet have also played a big role. New songs don’t last for long in our minds. Many mainstream songs made nowadays are meaningless. Listening to old renditions by old singers and their contribution to the Indian Cinema always impresses me, I love singing old songs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was as a delight listening to Gaurav and Amruta and interviewing them, they are an absolute inspiration to the next generation of young singers. Both are already world wise performers with an amazing passion. We sincerely wish them the best for their future.

 

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=6713