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A rainy musical nite

MDN

Usha Uthup and Enoch Fernando lit up a rainy evening with their music which was all for a good cause.

The rain played spoilsport and almost washed away the Musical Nite scheduled on Friday night at St. John’s High School Ground. The school is celebrating its 151st year of existence and the musical nite was to collect funds for the ultra modern library planned. Singing sensation Usha Uthup and pianist Enoch Fernando were invited to perform and in spite of the decidedly wet chairs and very soggy carpets, the show got underway once the rain petered out to a drizzle.

Rebecca Fernando, wife of the pianist Enoch, was a surprise and very welcome performer who kicked off the evening’s entertainment with several gospel numbers and romantic songs by Celine Dion. As she left the stage she disarmingly said,” And now comes the world’s best pianist to play for you tonight. Never mind if I am biased that he is my husband!”

Fernando’s mastery of the keyboards and his stage presence is astounding. To hold the audience’s attention through his performance, he had large images flashed on a screen and very interestingly images of him playing the same piece right down to the final flashy bars. Fernando regaled the audience with a number of romantic pieces which are his own compositions and which he promised the audience could be purchased after the programme at the gate. Fernando was born in Chennai and has mastered his own unique style of inspirational music which soothed the audience after a long day at work. Hot vadas with chutney and samosas were on sale along with popcorn for kids and were welcome in the aftermath of the rain. Fernando talked about his ministry called World Vision where he helps thousands of needy children world wide. Images of the schools where he and Becky tour were flashed on the screen giving the audience an idea of his work.

In between the VII std kids came on and did a very well choreographed dance to oldie Bollywood number,Tere mere pyaar ke charche with all the twist movements in bright silvery outifts.

Usha Uthup or didi as she is fondly called came on next with her trademark kanjeevaram sari, head full of jasmine flowers and large round bindi. For the show she had on a beautiful purple saree with a heavy zari border. “ It’s my lucky saree,”said Usha,” the concert is perfect when I wear it for a show.” It is amazing how Usha can charm any age group and get the audience rocking in their seats in a matter of minutes. Beginning with ‘I Believe in Music’ by Abba Usha went on to set the tempo for the rest of the evening with songs which were sent to her by request from the school management. Singing along to pre-recorded tracks of her own back-up band, Usha sang Jambalaya, Rambo Ho singins in as many as 13 languages. “ I am proud to be an Indian,” she said,” I have sung in my saree since I began singing and I don’t intend to change that,” she said to much cheering and catcalls from the audience. The proceeds of the show will be used for the Library project.

Call: 25309727 to make a donation.