MUSICAL SESSION 'V' - MADINAGUDA
Hello Friends,
The last Musical Session was held on 22nd Feb 2009, exactly a month ago and it was decided then to have the next one today. Chandar had been wanting to have one such Musical Session at his residence, but for a longer duration and replete with lunch, etc and had about ten days back invited all our members for this get-together-cum-Musical Session at his house. And so it was that all our members assembled at the sprawling residence of the Chandars at Madinaguda, notwithstanding the long distance. In fact, we have observed that whenever the Chandars have hosted such a Musical Session at their house, maximum gathering has taken the fullest advantage. This is the second such visit to their house by the members of Rafi Foundation, Hyderabad Chapter and all those who were expected to come did turn up. Members made pairings with one another and came in batches. It was known to us that Satyendra, Brig Jai Kumar, Sivaram and Mrs Sivaram would not be attending for various reasons. All others who are regulars had confirmed their participation and that is how we saw 21 members in the gathering today. N R Padmanabhan reached the venue just ahead of Subramaniam, Mrs Sethu Subramaniam, Mrs Prema Pannicker, SK Elias and myself - all at the dot of 11.00 a.m. - the appointed hour. Soon thereafter R Padmanabhan, Mrs Meenakshi Padmanabhan, Mrs Kamala (sister of Mrs Meenakshi) arrived. Vinayak Bhumkar and Mrs Nabha Bhumkar were to follow next. We were soon also joined in by Mrs Nirmala Dhepe, Nitin Dhepe and S Raghavendra Rao. Sanjay Deshpande, Mrs Mugdha Deshpande and Sachin Deshpande were not far behind and joined us soon thereafter. Mohd Saleem too came thus providing for a wholesum attendance by our members. By the time all our members could assemble, we had initiated the singing session using the video Karaoke CDs that the Chandars had procured recently and turn by turn many songs were rendered with the music. After about almost two hours we thought to ask our members to present their songs (after all our members come prepared with a set of choices for each of our Musical Sessions) and this continued upto the Lunch-hour gong was sounded. Sumptuous and very delicious meal was prepared by Mrs Radha Chandar and all relished the food.
We organized an Antakshri for our members, soon after this lunch break and three teams were formed with S Chandar, N R Padmanabhan and R Padmanabhan leading each of the three teams. Others members were allocated to the teams and the fun-filled Antakshri continued for the next forty five minutes. The winning team was to be given a set of 5 CDs that we had specially made (some lively and lovely numbers from Rafi Sahab's repertoire). While the NAUSHAD TEAM led by S Chandar squeezed through, narrowly beating the SHANKAR JAIKISHAN TEAM of N R Padmanabhan, on a suggestion by the latter, two CD were given away to each of these two teams and the fifth CD was handed over to R Padmanabhan whose team (O P NAIYYAR TEAM) also gallantly participated in the ANTAKSHRI.
After this fast paced and fun filled Antakshri, it was time our members got down to some serious singing once again and all our members presented a lot of songs. Normally it is our practice to name the song and the singer, but as we had known that today would be quite a lengthy sitting, we could not have possibly accomodated the full listing in this reporting. Our usual reportings always contain mention of almost 45 to 50 songs and the reporting is rather lengthy. With a full day Session, we had thought that the full listing of all the songs would be more than an essay.
At about 5.00 p.m., after having Tea, some of our members left while others continued for some more time.
Friends, our membership is going to be seriously dented shortly. The Subramaniams, two of our tallest members, have decided to move out of Hyderabad in a few months time and settle down in Chennai. While they will be in Hyderabad for atleast upto June/July 2009, the very thought of their impending leaving Hyderabad and our group sends jitters down our spine. They have instilled a sense of discipline, dedication, affection for all our members and above all have been a source of guidance to each one of us. Besides, they have been very vocal whenever required and very active at all times. The arrangement for our Musical Sessions at SMR Empire was due to the keen interest shown by the Subramanyams and we could be looking at alternate venues once these elderly members leave Hyderabad. There is still some time and we can continue for a few more Sessions at this venue and we will have to work out an alternative venue in the coming months.
Since the time S Ramakrishna, our Ex-President left our organization, we had been thinking of co-opting a new President and some of our members had instantly suggested the name of D Subramaniam for all the obvious reasons. But due to the decision taken by the Subramaniams to shift to Chennai, we need to have a rethink on co-opting our next President's name. We will discuss this matter in the coming days and whatever is the decision, it will be conveyed to all our members in our next Musical Session. Incidentally, the date for our next Musical session also was not discussed today. We will talk to most of our members in the course of the next two weeks and then decide on the appropriate date.
However, today's get-together-cum-Musical Session at Madinaguda was enjoyed by all our members thoroughly and everyone seemed to be pleased. The Chandars, as is customary to their pleasing personalities, played the perfect host and looked after all that needed to be arranged.
We will be in regular touch with all of you through emails and over telephone also. Our members are requested to be participative in our website : http://rafifoundation.
Until our next mail, then friends, here is wishing all a very MUSICAL and ENJOYABLE week ahead.
A S MURTY
RAFI FOUNDATION
HYDERABAD CHAPTER
narrative posted on this site by A S MURTY
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