Indian Newslink May 1, 2018 Digital Edition

MAY 1, 2018
Entertainmentlink
25
Arun Khotkar Dr Hubert D’Cruze Ekta Kumar Guncha Singh Kanik Mongia
Kanika Deish
Neel Patel
Srishaa Iyer
Ritika Badakere Ravi Shetty Ritika Badakere Sandhya Badakere Shibashis Dutta Choudhury
Local talent to reverberate S D Burman musical show
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
In a world where opportunism
flourishes, loyalty is indeed an
old-fashioned word.
However, familiarity, sense
of belonging and commitment to
friendship have always triumphed,
which is why organisations such as
‘Swar Sadhana Academy’ and ‘Ravi
Shetty Concepts’ have marched
along, hand-in-hand, presenting
quality musical programmes.
Joining them is an equally dedicated
team of singers and instrumentalists
who prove the saying,
“If put to the pinch, an ounce
of loyalty is worth a pound of
cleverness.”
Sandya Badakere of the
‘Academy’ and Ravi Shetty of
the ‘Concepts’ are to present the
third edition of their now famous,
‘Suneheri Yaadein,’ with a tribute
to Sachin Dev Burman (about who
we have written in the past two issues)
on Saturday, May 26, 2018
from 630 pm at Dorothy Winstone
Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar
School, Howe Street, Newton.
Auckland City.
Suneheri Yaadein for Hohepa
‘Suneheri Yaadein,’ this year
is being held in aid of Hohepa
Auckland, a charitable organisation
that provides people with
intellectual disabilities to live,
learn and work with others of all
abilities.
Tickets priced at $20 per person
are now on sale.
Fourteen singers, backed by a
proficient orchestra, are currently
rehearsing for the show that
promises the best of a music maestro
who has tuned some of the
most memorable melodies that
transcend time and technological
innovation.
Here is a brief profile of the singers
in alphabetical order.
Arun Khotkar
A Mechanical Engineer by profession,
Arun Khotkar has had a
great passion for music since his
childhood. He has appeared in various
music programmes for the
past 20 years.
Arun is a Director of Swar-
Sadhana Music Academy and has
been a performer at all its professional
programmes.
“I look forward to ‘Suneheri
Yaadein,’ which will be spell-binding
with melodious songs composed
by legendary Music Director
S D Burman. We look forward to
your presence and support,” he
said.
Ekta Kumar
From her early days as a student
and now as a teacher, Ekta Kumar
has an inexplicable affinity to
‘Swar Sadhana’ and with a Grade
7 Certificate in Western Classical
music (Vocal) from Trinity College
of London and a Diploma in
Hindustani Music, she is a great asset
to the Institution.
Beginning her musical career at
the age of nine, Ekta has participated
in countless cultural events and
musical shows in her native India
and New Zealand.
Guncha Singh
New Zealand audiences know
her as the ‘Shadow Voice of Lata
Mangeshkar’ but only a few may
be aware that Guncha Singh is a
Quality Assurance Technologist at
a food manufacturing company in
Auckland.
“I am lucky to be a student
at the ‘Academy’ learning
Hindustani Classical from a renowned
and yet a humble Guru,
Sandhya Badakere. Being a part of
‘Suneheri Yaadein’ concert has always
been a wonderful experience
and every year there is new excitement,”
she said.
Dr Hubert D’Cruze
Some call him ‘Guru Dutt,’ a few
‘Hemant Kumar’ and yet others
‘Talat Mahmood,’ but Dr Hubert
D’Cruze calls himself “An Amateur
singer.” Like millions of people
around the world, he regards
Rabindranath Tagore as one of the
most inspiring poets of all time.
“I am very happy and feel very
privileged to be part of ‘Suneheri
Yaadein.’ Please come and enjoy
a melodious evening of S D
Barman’s magical music,” he said.
Kanik Mongia
An Auckland based singer and
songwriter, Kanik Mongia is a
Swar Sadhna Academy student
with a several performances to his
credit. He has a strong presence
on YouTube and is preparing to release
a new Punjabi track under
an independent label in India.
“I am looking forward to entertaining
the audience on the May
26, 2018, reliving some classic melodies,”
he said.
Kanika Diesh
Having studied Classical
Hindustani Vocal Music under
Pandit Vinay Chandra Maudgalya
in Delhi, Kanika Diesh commenced
learning light vocal music under
the guidance of Sandhya after
moving from Wellington to
Auckland about ten years ago.
Her focus now is on voice modulation,
breathing techniques and
rendering songs greatly enhanced
by her singing technique.
“’Suneheri Yaadein’ concerts are
always professionally managed
with a great song selection, talented
singers and a team of committed
musicians,” she said.
Neel Patel
Being a Swar Sadhana student,
Neel Patel has learnt the nuances
of stage performance and believes
that he is privileged to perform
with “a line-up of amazing musicians
and singers.”
He considers his recent opening
performance with Rahat Fateh
Ali Khan as “an experience of a
lifetime.”
“I have always strived to connect
to the audience through my music.
I believe that more than just notes
and lyrics, music is an intimate
means of communication,” he said.
Rachit Bhatia
Rachit Bhatia is a versatile singer
and songwriter and has been performing
in New Zealand for over
16 years. He is well known for his
vocal ability and excellent stage
presence.
Rachit was both the youngest
contestant and the first-ever
Indian to reach the Top 24 of ‘New
Zealand Idol.’ Having recently returned
from the UK, he is looking
forward to the third edition
of ‘Sunehri Yaadein’ in this series
of tributes to Bollywood’s musical
maestros.
Ravi Shetty
On Air and on Stage, Ravi Shetty
is an entertainer par excellence.
Beyond those credentials, he is
a fine human being. With ten
years of association with ‘Sunehri
Yaadein,’ he must be one of three
veterans of the series.
“This journey has been extremely
gratifying. ‘Sunehri Yaadein’ has
provided many singers like me a
platform to showcase our singing
competence. It was under this banner
and Guru Sandhya Rao that
many artistes were groomed and
given the knowledge of Hindustani
classical music and its various flavours,”
he said.
Ritika Badakere
A talented singer, Ritika
Badakere has been a star performer
at many events in New Zealand
and has been a part of ‘Suneheri
Yaadein,’ since it began.
“The selection of songs is impeccable,
with each of them tuned and
performed for audience appreciation.
I have thoroughly enjoyed
being a part of this group and am
really looking forward to performing
with them on May 26. This will
be a show worth watching!” she
said.
Sandhya Rao Badakere
This Reporter remembers having
met Sandhya Rao Badakere
shortly after her migration to New
Zealand in October 2002. “Your
voice is melodious, you must be a
singer,” he said, as they waited for
the arrival of the then Governor
General Dame Sylvia Cartwright
at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in
Eden Terrace (Auckland) to inaugurate
Diwali 2002.
It was soon thereafter we learnt
that Sandhya was groomed in
Vibha Trivedi
Hindustani Classical and Semi-
Classical Music by Pandit Phiroze
Dastoor, Dr Prabha Atre and
Mohinderjit Singh.
“Those keen on learning Music
will benefit if starts an Academy,”
we thought.
Presto!
“People will enjoy good music if
she were to put together shows,”
we told her in 2003.
Presto!
And for the record, Sandhya has
a Diploma in Music from Bombay
University and has performed in
India, Sri Lanka, USA and Australia
and New Zealand.
Shibashis Dutta Choudhury
A Civil Engineer by occupation,
Shibashis Dutta Choudhury took to
music when he was a child under
his mother’s guidance. His performances
at school and college were
noted with interest.
Following a 14-year break from
music to attend to personal matters,
Shibashis will return to stage
with ‘Suneheri Yaadein,’ on May
26, 2018.
“I am privileged to perform on
the biggest platform for Indian
Music in Auckland. Sachin and
Rahul Dev Burman are my favourites,”
he said.
Srishaa Iyer
This 20-year-old student of
University of Auckland has been
learning music since she was five
years old. Srishaa Iyer enjoys singing
in different languages and has
several YouTube clips and a Single
to her credit.
“I believe that singing for
‘Sunehri Yaadein’ is a lovely opportunity
to enjoy singing and listening
to the beautiful music of
yesteryears. I have grown up in
New Zealand and I engage with
music in a meaningful way. I am
privileged to work with amazing
musicians,” she said.
Vibha Trivedi
Vibha Trivedi comes from a family
of admirers and proponents
of music for generations. From
Classical Music to Hindi film songs,
music has always been an essential
part of her life.
Vibha is thrilled to perform the
legendry Burman’s compositions
that she grew up listening and
these are very close to her heart.
She is equally excited to be a part
of ‘Suneheri Yaadein’ team and is
thankful of her Guru, Sandhya for
giving her the opportunity.