The Senior Scene
GEORGE THAKUR reports.
Music marks Deepawali celebrations
Kingston Indian Senior Citizens Association (KISCA) celebrated Deepawali recently with festivities for its members and guests. Festival lamps in a large thali, surrounded by a floral decoration welcomed us as we entered. From the start the atmosphere was festive, with all exchanging tidings of the festival. Young Simon Charan was ready with his musical paraphernalia, greeting members with lively festival songs.
President Mona Raju formally wished members the blessings of the festival, and a few ladies got together and sang bhajans. With the spirit of patriotism overflowing, Smt Naunihal Singh sang a Bapuji song. Treasurer Vishnu Prasad read a Hindi poem about Lord Rama, Ayodhya, and the attributes of the festival. Teams of six ladies and six men then had an antakshri of songs, to which all members soon contributed. 80 years young Dr. Naunihal Singh, who stated that he jogs everyday, presented a few yoga Pranayamas along with the intricacies of practice and frequency, etc. The ladies then contributed more festival songs. The delightful evening ended with a simple dinner and festive gulab jamans and moti-choor laddoos as dessert. An abundance of shared festival feelings!
Kingston City Council has requested KISCA to present Indian dances and costumes at the Harmony Day celebrations on March 11 next year at Clarinda City Hall, for which practice sessions have already begun. Mona may be contacted on 8558 1610.
Golden oldies for ISCA anniversary
Indian Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) recently celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of its inception with nostalgic, strictly old time musical scores and standards from various countries, and in corresponding languages. President Prem Phakey welcomed members, related the organisation’s progress story and handed the charge of the day over to Sandy San, ISCA ex-Secretary for a dozen plus years.
To begin with, Shamini Satgunam built up the mood by singing ‘Happy Birthday ISCA’, and ‘You are 15, going on 16‘, among other songs. Since September was the AGM month too, Sandy recalled Fathers’ Day to commemorate his father, and paid tribute to all fathers living and those departed.
Next, Sandy detailed ‘Baila’ songs that fall into the category of ‘Conversational’ music. These originated in South Africa, were transported to Ceylon, Goa, East Timor, as far away as Formosa which is now Taiwan, and various Portugese colonies by slaves on ships 500 years ago. Sandy and Sarojini Asirvatham, both of Sri Lankan origin, demonstrated the Baila with moves and actions that were truly conversational. Members of the Muslim faith came forwarded as ‘O Mustapha, O Mustapha‘ played, with Sandy in a colourful top and a congruous Turkish cap. Italy was next, with members dancing to ‘Marina, Marina‘. Brazil and Mexico surfaced the familiarly lively ‘Cha, Cha, Cha‘, the demanding Samba, and a fast Flamenco, with Sandy dressed in a colourful wrap-around and hyper-large Mexican hat, just as he changed costume to lungi, kurta and a gentleman’s hat for Suranganee and other Sri Lankan folk songs.
Rich and deep Indian oldies from 1950s followed like La Poloma, and Que Sera, Sera, and immortal favourites like Gore, Gore, O, Banke Chhore and Aana Meri Jaan, Meri Jaan Sunday Ke Sunday had members singing with gusto. Sharmini substituted some English and Hindi lyrics with the Tamil. O, My Darling, Clementine and the naughty Bombay Ladies are Nice – Full of Spice were met with loud enthusiasm. For the Hawaiian number, Sandy and Sarojini dressed in floral headgear, garlands and loud print dresses. Grass skirts, however, were thankfully missing in the miserable Melbourne weather.
Sandy concluded the day by relating ISCA’s humble beginnings with about 30 members, which now boasts 250-plus members. He named past presidents and thanked them for their guidance. Shano Rajkumar called for votes on the baldest of all male seniors; Luis Mascarenhas won by a mile. Token gifts were presented to Lilawati Bhoola and Genevieve D’Souza, on whose blouses markers had been placed unannounced. Parag Modi, who was in his 30s when he laid the foundation of ISCA for his ageing parents, gave a short talk and was applauded. Renowned figures from the Indian music world like Guru Deepika Shome, Guru Hanumant Umranikar and Guru Sheila Sharma graced the occasion. The imaginatively choreographed function could easily be described as ‘far from the usual’. Dinner followed the festivities.
ISCA will celebrate Deepawali in November, for further information, please call Dr Prem Phakey on 9560 9607.
