Bollywood magic

Musical night

Delhiites are not just the stereotypical party animals but know how to enjoy classic film songs from the bygone era too.

Recently, an informal group of around 200 singers and music-lovers gathered at Epicentre, Gurgaon to render as well as enjoy some evergreen songs from Bollywood’s golden years.

Delhi Music Society – Aarohi is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the dissemination of music, especially Indian classical. It is one of the largest and most active societies of singers, dancers, choreographers, musical directors, stage managers and plain music enthusiasts, in Delhi/NCR.

Its founding president Pankaj Mathur shares, “Initially, there were just three or four of us music enthusiasts. As the word about our group spread, we were surprised to see membership requests flood in. And since we have no age criteria, we have kids as young as ten and senior members as old as 70. People come in from all professions – doctors, engineers, civil servants.”

“Plus, as we are Delhi based, people from all over NCR, Ghaziabad etc. also approach us. We are surprised by the variety and the number of membership requests every day. It simply goes on to show that how much we miss music in our lives and are eager to embrace it in any way.”

Started only last year, this was Aarohi’s first public performance and a complete hit at that. The theme was 100 years of Indian cinema and they picked up a few songs from each year starting 1950. So one Parminder Chaddha rendered Ye Zindagi Usi Ki Hai from film Anarkali (1953), Colonel Ram Smart Chaddha sang Tu Pyaar Ka Sagar Hai from Seema (1955) and Tej Pal Singh presented Hai Apna Dil to Awara from film Solva Saal (1958).

One Atul Bachheti did a commendable job of singing Ai Gulbadan (Professor, 1962). Prakash Kala beautifully presented Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe (Kanyadaan, 1968) and Bhavna Bhatt mesmerised the audience with Naino Mein Badra Chhaye (Mera Saaya, 1966).

Having noted their success, Aarohi is now planning a programme on August 1 as a tribute to Mohammad Rafi on his death anniversary. Pankaj says, “All are welcome to experience the true Bollywood magic.”