BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA: Nostalgic notes engulfed Atlanta music lovers at the “Kucch Baatein Gaate Gaate” concert, presented by Balaji Management & Music Mantra LLC on May 10th 2013 at Berkmar H.S. Auditorium. Designed by Bollywood artist Prakash Wadekar, the show featured seasoned singers Anil Bajpai, Usha Timothy, Neelima Gokhale and Sunil Menon. Singers were backed by a sensational set of musicians who enhanced musical milieu of the evening.
As the title suggests, format of the show included music laced with humorous comedy and compeering by Prakash Wadekar and interesting real life experiences by Usha Timothy, a playback singer who sang with legendary Mohammed Rafi at many live shows. Songs included melodies caroled by evergreen singers of the Bollywood including Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, SD Burman, to name a few.
A melodious rendering of Yaakunde Druta behind the curtain welcomed the audience. Neelima Gokhale opened with Ab Toh Hain Tumse , followed by Tera Jaana. Anil Bajpai’s Ek Haseen Shaam, Mera Dil Machal Gaya to mera kya kasoor hain and Kaun hain jo sapno main aaya were a great start to a wonderful evening. “Anyone who does not even understand music could appreciate it, when Rafiji sang” Usha Timothy said. Her opening songs included Jab Jab Bahar aaye, Lag Jaa Gale, Aap ki nazar. As a tribute to Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Menon rendered Ek ajnabi, Roop tera mastana to perfection.
Prakash Wadekar tickled the funny bone with his quirky humor at regular intervals. “ I saw a couple holding hands earlier and thought to myself” he said “ Naye Naye shaadi ke baad couples bahut Romantic hote hain, kuch dus saal baad, rom rom antic ho jaata hain” ( Couples are very romantic during early years of marriage, but later every rom ( nerve) becomes an antic ). The laughs continued throughout the night.
Many nostalgic numbers in duet format and solo perforamnces, Dil ne dil ko pukara, Tum aagaye ho, Tumne ne Mujhe dekha, Badan pe sitaare, Mera saya, Naina main badira chayi, bekhudi main sanam enthralled the audience with Deewana Hua Badal garnering a standing ovation.
Prakash Wadekar thanked everyone who helped in bringing the show together including Music Mantra, Parag Vaishav, Rakesh Patel, Mustafa Ajmeri, Sandeep Savla, Sunny, Asma, Dr. Prakash Desai, Vijay Panchal and everyone. Mustafa Ajmeri thanked all his supporters who spread the word about the program, which is currently touring the US and encouraged audience to do the same. Prakash Wadekar also recognized all the musicians who enriched the musical experience of the evening.
Apurva Ghelani talked about his mobile app DesiMojo. DesiMojo provides a mobile platform for event organizers to promote South Asian cultural events, concerts and parties as well as provides a niche for retailers and businesses to offer deals and coupons.
A local singer from Atlanta, Jyothi also joined the team rendering Baahon main chale aao. Jyothi said she enjoyed training with the troupe and thanked all for the opportunity.
Kuchh Baate Gaate Gaate, featuring seasoned singers and expert musicians certainly walked the audience down a memorable, mesmerizing memory lane. The show is said to be acknowledged by Music Directors Pyarelalji, Kersi Lord, Hommi Mullan, Ramesh Aiyar.
Organizers had arranged with light dinner with the show. The show concluded on a high note with medley of songs with the entire group.