THE PRITHVI FESTIVAL

 

The Prithvi Festival began on the 1st of this month. 

Yuki Ellias and Akarsh Khurana were two names that I recognised, from back in Xaviers, among the many Directors and Writers, whose plays were a part of the festival.

Yuki's play was about growing old, and how people slowly begin to lose their memory, as they age. I watched a promo of the play, in which Yuki mentioned how the play, brings out, the muddle in the mind of older people, especially if they are affected by 'dementia or other age related illnessness, that affect the memory'. She said, that she drew inspiration for some of it, by watching her own grandparents.

I couldn't make it for that one, even though I wanted to; but will hopefully watch it, whenever they stage the play, in the future. 

I heard some of the reviews after the play, and everyone mentioned, that it touched their heart. While it made them laugh, it also made them cry. So, this is definitely a play to watch, whenever it happens.

The Akvarious Productions play was about an environmentalist trying to be heard, in the midst of the climate crisis, which truly is a cause for panic and alarm. He happens to be unfortunately caught among people, who really don't think, climate change is that important. 

One of the reasons, why I went for this one, was because I heard, there was music in this play. Most of the performers acted and sang very well; and it was good to hear some musicians accompanying them also.

The play had quite a lot happening, right through, with the many satirical connections that the script made, to people and situations, which kept the audience thoroughly entertained. 

In my opinion though, the younger people in the audience, connected with the dialogues and the script, a lot more than the older ones; because you had to be aware of everything happening in the real and virtual world, to grasp the many references made in the play.

A FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE ✍️

It was good to be at the NCPA, for the 'Mumbai Lit Fest' for two of the three days of the festival, on the 7th and 8th of November. 

This is the 16th year of Mumbai's Literary Festival; and the programme for this year, included many varied authors, book launches, well-known presenters and moderators, young writers and poets, performances, awards, a book swap, workshops, a little festival for children and lots more.

I was at the festival on the first two days, and the second day, drew in very large crowds of people, who were there to listen to, some of the prominent celebrity authors and speakers. Even the large Tata Theatre couldn't accommodate, all those who had queued up, for an hour or two before the sessions; and so, there were quite a few people who were upset that they missed out, on sessions that they had initially wanted to listen to. 

Of course, since there were many other interesting events, happening at the other smaller auditoriums of the NCPA, they still got an opportunity, to enjoy the other speakers at the fest.

One of the sessions that I attended, was a conversation between Amrita Raichand and Luke Coutinho, in which Luke spoke about the 'importance of sleep and reducing stress', among other things, which are simple, yet necessary things to focus on, as lifestyle changes that everyone needs to consciously make. These were based on his book 'The Calm Prescription'.

During the process of my mother's long illness, of going through two Cancers, which lasted for close to 9 years, from 2010 to 2018; I have realised, that these are two big factors, that can help us live a healthier life, and that could possibly prevent chronic, life-threatening sicknesses. They are probably equally, or maybe even more important, than controlling our food intake, and focussing on nutrition and exercise.

It was really good to listen to Luke Coutinho in person, after many years of learning a lot through his online videos on health, nutrition and making healthier lifestyle choices.

This session was one that I attended, because I have personally gained, so much of well-researched information and knowledge, from listening to Luke's videos, for the last 10 years. 

His team of Doctors and Nutritionists, were also an unforgettable support to us, through the last few months of my mother's Cancer journey, back in 2018. So, I will always be Grateful to him and to them, for everything.🤗💕

Besides that, I also thoroughly enjoyed a very interactive conversation between Sumanto Chattopadhyay and Anuvab Pal.

I had discovered Sumanto's love for language through his weekly videos called 'The English Nut', back in 2020. It was great to meet this creative personality, from the world of advertising, and to get a signed copy of his book.

Anuvab Pal is someone, that I was hearing for the first time; and I can see why, he is known as the 'intelligent stand up comedian'. Together, these two made a conversation about the English language, very entertaining.😊

I was also pleasantly surprised to meet an old student, at the Kitab Khana book stall. I felt really proud to discover, that he was a winner of one of the contests, that was conducted on college campuses a few weeks before that, as part of the festival.😊

Marine Drive is much quieter in the afternoons, as compared to the evenings, when it is very crowded. Crossing the street, and standing there by the ocean for a few minutes, is something that I always do, whenever I go to the NCPA for an event.✍️

SING INDIA SING 🎼🎶🎤

 

(An old FB Memory from this day, 7 years ago, 13th October '2018. I watched this Musical at the Jamshed Bhabha, NCPA. It was a memorable experience.)

Sing India Sing! India's first original musical.🎶

It brought together so much talent in one Production. 

Lyrics, Music, Choreography, Graphics and so much more.

Some of the most talented and creative people from the Mumbai Music and Theatre Industry, were a part of this one.

Written by Rahul DaCunha and Bugs Bhargava, Music by Clinton Cerejo, Directed by Nadir Khan, and with performers like Suchitra Pillai, Brian Tellis, Kamashi Rai, Uday Benegal, Siddharth Basrur, Asif Ali Beg, Delraaz Bunshah, Sarosh Nanavaty, Naquita D'Souza and many, many more fabulous people who worked on this production, it was one power-packed musical.

Lots and lots of hard work has gone into the show; and I was glad I got a chance to experience India's first attempt, at an original Musical.👏👏👏

(Promo Video shared from the Aadyam YT page.)

A SONG FOR PEACE 🕊🤍🎶

 

The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy has been encouraging Choral Music for a few decades now, by giving different Choirs, an opportunity to sing at their various concerts. Lots of people, have always enjoyed the Stop-Gaps concerts, over the years.🎶

About six years back, they also began organising a 'Children's Choir Festival'. Every year, this event gives us a chance, to listen to the voices of children, blending together in harmony. The groups that participate, are from schools, parishes, and other choirs as well. 

Listening to the children singing, some days ago, made me remember the time, when we used to also sing in groups at various school events, as kids. The difference though, is that while we would mostly just sing the melody and some simple seconds, back then; now, children are learning how to sing three and four part harmonies, at such a young age...and I think, that's so wonderful.👍  

I love how so many schools especially, have gradually started introducing their students, to the joy of singing in harmony, by bringing in music teachers, who have the ability to train children, to sing different voice parts, in a choir. 

A few of the choirs, that participated in this year's festival, had very tiny, young children; and I was really amazed at their ability to sing harmonies, so melodiously and effortlessly, even though they are so little. Hearing them sing so beautifully, made everyone who was there, smile.😊💕

The songs chosen were all related to this year's  Theme - 'A Song for Peace'.🕊

The concert happened, just two days before the 'International Day of Peace'. So, the meaningful songs, also brought out that message of 'Peace', which is so relevant, at a time when so many places in the world, are being devastated by war and disharmony.🤍

SONGS OF HOPE AND PEACE 🤍🕊🌈

 

The Stop-Gaps brought together many amazing choirs and performers, that we all enjoy listening to, in their Concert 'A Call to Peace', which happened at the Tata Theatre, NCPA yesterday.

'Bridging the World with Song' - That is what Alfred D'Souza and 'The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy' have been doing for many, many years, at every concert they do. Each Choir and Soloist who sang last night, chose very meaningful songs, that brought out the message of 'Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood'.🤍

In a world that is constantly tattered and torn by violence, disharmony, bloodshed, negativity, irrational thinking and the completely illogical loss of innocent lives; an evening like this, filled with melodious songs, that calm and soothe the heart and soul, is like 'A Rainbow of Hope'.🌈 🕊One that reminds all of us, who love music, that the joyous 'Melody, Harmony and Rhythm' of beautifully written songs, filled with positive thoughts, can truly 'Heal the World and make it a better place, for the entire human race'.🎶

It was wonderful to have a choir from Borivali 'Symphony Voices', conducted by Allan Rodrigues, performing in this concert also. They made us feel so proud, with their wonderful harmonious singing.👏👏👏

The best part about an evening like this, besides enjoying all the beautiful songs, sung by every choir and soloist, is getting an opportunity to hear many of my favourite choirs and singers on one evening, and to meet lots of music loving friends. 

A chance to listen to lots of old friends, singing in, or accompanying various choirs, to hear some amazing soloists, to feel proud of a few ex-students who were performing, and to meet many, many friends, who were in the audience too; made last night, even more special.😊💕

THE BEST SONGS THROUGH THE YEARS 🎶

 

(Another memory from 3 years ago, written on this day, 28th August '2022.)

If you've not yet been for a Musical Production by 'The Vishaal Asrani Institute of Performing Arts' (VAIPA), you should keep a look out for their next show and make sure you don't miss it. I think they are just amazing, at the way in which they showcase an entire evening.

I made a last minute decision, to go for their show 'Legends and Divas' at the Royal Opera House today; and very happily ended up singing along with the performers, from the beginning to the end of the show.😊 

It was a Tribute Concert to many, many different singers, both past and present, that almost everyone loves. Their song selection had many, many favourite songs; and you could hear lots of people in the auditorium joining in and singing too, which was so great. 😊🎶💕

I tried to keep a track of which singers and songs they had picked; but they packed so many awesome artists into the show, that after a point I stopped trying to remember.😂 Those of you who love music, see how many you can guess from the pictures.😊 

A few people sitting behind me, were wondering whether there were 5 or 6 or more singers; because the 4 awesome performers changed so many costumes and wigs in that two hour show, that a lot of people must've thought there were more than just four people singing. Vishaal Asrani, Delraaz Bunshah, Sarosh Nanavaty and Sparsh Korde were simply amazing. 😊💕

The lovely backdrops, the great choreography and the lights only added, to making the show look as good as the singing sounded. 

Mithil Shah is a really, really good host too; and whoever put together all the 'trivia' about each singer and the songs, did a really good job.

Jiji Subi, the Producer and Vishaal Asrani, the Director of the show; another awesome production.👏👏👏

TWO CONCERTS IN ONE 🎶

 

(Was reminded of this old post today, written on this day, two years ago, on 28th August' 2023.)

I try not to miss a Stop-Gaps concert, because Alfred D'Souza has almost made it a habit, to bring together the 'Best of the Best' performers, choose the most wonderful songs, sing lovely harmonies and showcase every concert so well; that everyone sitting in the audience, enjoys every moment of the show, to their heart's content.😊

Yesterday's concert combined two genres that I really enjoy, Gospel and Broadway.❤️ So, it goes without saying; I was singing along, all evening; along with everyone at the Tata Theatre, NCPA.🎶

The song selection by the choirs and the individual performers, had a whole bunch of my favourite songs in it; and listening to so many of the artists, that I love and admire greatly, singing those songs so beautifully, was just 'Musical Magic'.✨️ 

Seeing so many familiar faces in the audience and meeting old friends, is also one reason why I love going for the Stop-Gaps shows. It always makes me happy.😊

Thank You Alfred D'Souza, the Stop-Gaps and every performer and musician, who kept us absolutely spell-bound with their melodious voices and amazing performances. Together, you all made last night's concert so special.👏👏👏

...and Happy 71st Birthday dear Alfred. What a way to celebrate your birthday!🎶❤️