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http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19990521/ile21165.html
| Friday, May 21, 1999 Here's looking at you, kidsThe little 'uns did it again. Padmashree Kalyanji's Little Wonders, the children's orchestra group, put up a brilliant three-hour show at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on the evening of May 19. Like most other shows, it was also delayed by around 45 minutes. But unlike those other shows, this one was worth the wait. The show had a refreshing medley of songs, dances, mimicry and instrumental music. The hard work and commitment of the performers, supported by veteran Kalyanji's inputs, are probably what went into making the performance so successful. And those who chose the show over the India-Zimbabwe match, which the former promptly lost, must have felt particularly satisfied at their judicious selection! The show began with an invocation by singers Sadhna Sargam, Sanjay Omkar and Nihira Joshi. And then the kids took over. It was nine-year-old Sharmika Joshi, dressed in a shimmering black velvet gown, who led the brigade by compering the entire show, sans any slip-ups, stutters or falterings and with a little shairi thrown in for effect. Sneha Pant, winner of the TVS Sa Re Ga Ma's children's special, sang Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo, Pardesi Pardesi, Pardesiya Yeh Sach Yeh Piya. She was accompanied by Amrish Shroff for some wonderful duets. All along, little dancers danced to their tunes and enthralled the audience. All the performers, numbering around 20, were below the age of 14, but so polished was their presentation that it would be fitting to compare their work to that of older artists. After the songs, it was time for an anokha journey, travelled to the beats of Ojas Adhia's tabla, as he coaxed the instrument into reproducing the sound of a train chugging, its whistle blowing... all brilliantly done. Then there was Master Bobby, whose imitation of film heroes Dev Anand, Aamir Khan, Dharmendra, Prabhu Deva, Salman Khan and Govinda - he danced non-stop to their popular numbers - was a ripper! After the dance came Nihira Joshi's dulcet renditions of Awaz De Kahan Hai, Aur Is Dil Mein Kya Rakha Hain and Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo.A three-and-a-half-year-old boy, Soham Vyas, danced to O O Jaane Jaana and mind you, just like the beekcake Salman Khan in the song, this little one was also shirtless, with guitar and ear-phones all in place! Deep Inamdar and Abhilasha, two little Puneites, also performed along with the entourage.And it was another go at film stars with Chintan Mehta mouthing the angry not-so-young man Nana Patekar's equally blistering dialogues from Krantiveer. Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar were also part of his repertoire. And for that bit of Western mazaa, there was Master Honi, the little Michael Jackson of the show. Other memorable instances include Amrish Shroff's versions of old numbers like Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen, and Kasme Vaade. Then there was Master Vaibhav, son of Babla, who presented a Western instrumental item. The grand finale was the rendition of raag Miya Malhar by Nihira Joshi, who was accompanied by Sargam and Pant with Adhia on the tabla. All through the show, the presence of Kalyanji was motivating; he stood onstage the whole time, boosting the gifted young performers. Performing to thunderous applause from the audience, the kids proved that children are unstoppable provided their immense potential is acknowledged and tapped. SAMPARC, an NGO working for the upliftment of destitute children, presented the show in association with The Pride Hotel. The show was a fund-raiser for their new project coming up in Wardhe. Impressed by their work, a young girl agreed to sponsor a child for a year.Copyright 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd. |
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