Rocking Anth Tak 22 at the Mazumdar's

We met again for Anth Tak 22 at the residence of Kishore Mazumdar, Nirmala, Praneeta and Bharath. It was one big big occasion for us and as Priya was mentioning, it is not just a "want" to listen to songs but a "need" or a "madness" which can only be described and understood by our Anth Tak family members. As is becoming the tradition, we met for lunch and after a sumptuous and a very tasty lunch, we started off the day's Anth Tak with a bhajan by Ramita and Aishwarya

Our compere and host, Chandra who is the very "life" of our Anth Tak not only because of his songs, but by keeping alive everybody's attention and interest by his apt, interesting comments, started the serious business of singing with "Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni". He said we will adopt a new format this time wherein each family could come and sing a few songs after which it would be random singing.

The first family to sing, Vijay's family started with Ashish singing "Anisuthide". Wow such a wonderful song sung so well. Geetika was next with "Tumko Dekha To Yeh Khayal Aaya" sung so soulfully and with such clarity of words and voice that we can surely call her the Shreya of Anth Tak. Then it was the turn of Vijay and he as usual was fantastic with "Tere Naam". Geetika again sang "Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya" and Ashish, "yeh Kya hua".

Next family to sing was Ram's. Ramita and Aishwarya sang "Pehli Nazar Mein", Rama sang "Tune O Rangile Kaisa" from Kudrat, "New York nagaram" by Aparna was an offbeat song sung with gutso in her base voice. Next it was Ram singing his first ever Kannada song,"Elliruve" from Bayaludaari. After that Rama sang the not-as-popular-as-the-male-version, "Araluthiru" which in the original has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal, a lovely number from Mungaru Male.

After this, Nagaraj enthralled all present with a few steps and a few scenarios of Yakshagana. It was very nice to see this dance form.

Then came Venkat and family. Priya sang "Yeh dil mujhe bata de" as usual with the Geeta Dutt flavour. Venkat was awesome with his " Ahahahahaa" "Vivahabhojanamulu" a la Gantasala, which was apt considering the wonderful food arranged by Kishore and Nirmala. Mallika as usual was flawless in her catering. Kirthana rocked with "Its the time to disco". She has made the Anth Tak family proud by winning the Super singers contest conducted jointly by Reliance Time out and SFM in the Junior Category. She is bound to go places. Kaushik was equally excellent with his Pretty woman. Priya sang a song "Mounamenaloyi" specially for Kishore and Nirmala.

Next to come was our little Akshay, who is showing his talent now itself. He was brilliant and amazing when he danced for Bum Bum Bole. Last Anth Tak meet at Venkat-Priya's he had recited Aigiri Nandini with amazing clarity. Anuraag next sang the immortal "Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai", a very beautiful song indeed.

Next to take stage was the Sirohia Parivar. Aditya started with a peppy Shammi number, "Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai" which had everyone on their feet. His timing was also ekdum excellent. Manak sang Sama Hai Suhana, Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi and Door Rehkar Na Karo Baat with a lot of involvement. Tara sang Chod de sari duniya. She was very good.

Next was the turn of the host family with Pranita and Kishore singing Pyar hua Ikraar Hua and Kishore and Nirmala singing Ankhon Ankhon mein humtum ho gaye deewane. Nirmala also sang a telugu song, Guru Sindhivaana from the movie Bullema Bulledu. Bharath continued with Tujhe Dekha To yeh Jaana Sanam. Bharath throughout was very good. It might only be a matter of time before he takes over the mantle of compering from Chandra ..oops, I should have told, the microphone!!

Next, Sridhar sang a few lines from Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho. Swathi sang Sriramachandra beautifully.

Chandra was simply excellent with all the songs he sang. Manna Da's Poocho Na Kaise Meine Rein Beetayi was out of this world, so was Mujhko is raat ki Tanhaayi Mein. He also sang, Manena Mera Dil Deewana and Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai. Simply super duper wonderful. Madhu was amazing in her Chup Gaya Koi Re. It was a beautiful number rendered superbly by her.




After this it was an eclectic mix of songs by everyone. A Pakistani song, Sona Na Chandi by Ram from the movie Bandhish, Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein by Vijay and Priya, Chale The Saath Milke by Manak, Noppi Noppi by Bharath, Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam by Rama, Jaata Kahan by Kirthana, Aise Na Mujhe Tum by Imtiaz, Lakdi Pe Kaati by Khushi, Yaa Dil Ki Suno by Chandra, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa by Kishore and Bharath, Bharon Ne mera Chaman by Manak and joined so sweetly by Tara at the end. Ram and Ramya sang Rim Jhim ke Geet Sawan, Venkat and Priya sang Vaan Meghangale and Vijay sang Main Shayar Badnam and on popular demand a "bonus" Ninnindale which was simply superb. Praneeta sang Pilagali Allari, Madhu, Hum Ne Dekhi hai, Ram and Rama sang Aap ki Aankhon Mein Kuch, Vijay sang a couple of non-karaoke songs, Jab yaad Aaye and Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi. Ramya sang one verse of the Lata version of Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi.

Not to be forgotten little Khushi was dancing away almost the entire programme. I would rate her the busiest throughout. Praneeta's singing was very good. Her sense of timing was excellent. The decoration by Shivakumar and Praneeta at their house was very good. They had put in a lot of effort and the result of that was eye catching.

Everyone took to the dance floor for a couple of hours and let their hair down and danced away to the music played by Mani and his friend on the music system. It was very nice to watch everyone dance to the songs from Om Shanti Om,and other songs like Billoo Rani, Nagada etc. The children were so enthusiastic that they taught the elders who didnt know much about dance as to how to shake their hands and legs and people who did not have even one dancing bone in their bodies found themselves dancing to the beat and enjoying.

We missed Kishore Panwar, Suchin, Vivek, Sunil whose presence would have made our Anth Tak complete.

We had a very tasty dinner of Pav Bhaji, Gol guppes, Curd rice and dessert. The arrangements by Kishore and family was excellent and they as usual were wonderful hosts. The children too chipping in with the helping. Akshay too helped with the serving of snacks in the evening, Mini Samosas and Vadas. All in all, a very memorable evening which came to an end all too soon. I am sure all of you, as me are waiting for Anth Tak 23 to happen now.

See the pictures here and here

Coming soon - Some video clips of Anth Tak 22.