Empress of Taal

The prodigious talent of this family places them at the pinnacle of musical talent as through the popular music of films they have immortalised the songs they have sung. Even if we forget which film or which actress mouthed the words, the songs live forever. The voice of the Nightingale of India as it effortlessly scales from pop to pure classical and patriotic Marathi songs to crescendo into the finale of Vande Matar is made for that moment of happiness that you want to catch, ephemeral as it is, and hold forever. Raj Thackeray had personally taken it upon himself to create the ambience that stage structure and lighting provided. Six gigantic black-and-white photographs in old gilt surrounds of the late Dinanath Mangeshkar flank each side of the central portrait. The Shiv Sena Youth Employment Trust created for the jobless by Raj was also a beneficiary of the concert. But Raj’s spectacular artistry was praised by Lataji on more than one occasion and in the vote of thanks. All the artistes and musicians hadgiven of their artistry without charging a rupee worth, thus making their own humble contribution to the noble cause. The people of Pune, by coming out in droves on a cold December night (7 degree celsius to be precise), also showed their love and support to Didi and her dream hospital for fellow citizens. Can it have been only me or were the rest of her appreciative audience warmed to joy and teary-eyed as she lead us through all-time great hits? Musicurry.com, the net company launched by Mandar Agashe and Adinath Mangeshkar was the main sponsor and the holder of the web rights and music rights to the concert.

After the concert, I felt truly one of the chosen few to be granted a private audience and photo opportunity with Lataji and admit I was blown away by her charm, grace, humility and caring. Here is a lady who deserves the highest accolade. She is the undisputed empress of Taal and Sur. As she powers her melodious, mellifluous voice, one appreciates the true meaning of escaping into another world to play out the fantasy of being one of the all-time greats of Indian Cinema from Nargis to Nutan, Jaya to Zeenat, Rekha to Madhuri and Kajol. The dapper Vijay Mallaya’s b’day bash hosted by his elegant wife Rekha saw Mumbai collect en masse, rather a selective ‘A’ list culled to wish Vijay. Tina and Anil Ambani, Parmeshwar and Adi Godrej, Rajiv Ghai, Anuradha and Anand Mahindra, Prafulla Patel, Meera and Suresh Kalmadi, Supriya and Sadanand Sule, Esther and Mohan Daswani, Parthiv Kilachand and his gorgeous new bride Bindu, Quennie Singh and Raja Dhody, Vikram Mehta made for an evening of laughter and bonhomie. Greathosts as the Mallayas are, they pulled all stops to ensure a roaring good time. Earlier in the evening, Devika and Suresh Bhojwani had hosted a cocktail party at the newest hotspot of Mumbai ‘Athena’, the brainchild of the Chogule brothers of Indigo fame.

The celebration was Malavika Sanghvi’s elevation to editor of the Sunday Review, after having steered the Bombay Times as editor these past few years. Ayaz Menon is the new editor. And Malavika, I am sure, is garnering experience in all the various branches of the Times Group to perhaps take on a higher challenge within the group, later. As a single parent and lady, I salute Malavika. Mumbai is tough for a single attractive, talented lad, more ladies rising to the top help show the vast many who are struggling that you can get their with grit and determination and be a shining example of women’s empowerment.