Former announcer, Sandhya S Kumar, talks about the upcoming 21st edition of her musical program Sur Sandhya
For the first time since the pandemic, Sur Sandhya is back this year with their 21st edition. Helmed by Saras Communications, this musical fundraiser has been curated by Sandhya S Kumar, emcee and former Doordarshan announcer. Slated to take place on November 30, the three-hour event will feature over two dozen songs from the golden era of film music. The proceeds will go to the Rural Development of Child Education and Women Empowerment
Although the program is a Mohammed Rafi — Moods and Melodies special, Sandhya has included quite a few hits by music director Madan Mohan as this is his birth centenary as well as Rafi’s.
Over the years, Sandhya has been donating all proceeds from the event to an NGO. “This year, we will send it to the Rural Development of Child Education and Women Empowerment (RDCEWE), a public charitable trust near Jharkhand’s tribal belt, run by Basmati Gagrai, a member of one of the tribal communities there. Basmati is also winner of the 2024 Woman Exemplar Award instituted by the CII Foundation.”
Sandhya S Kumar
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Special Arrangement
“Sur Sandhya is as much for music as it is for a cause. Thanks to the event, many have come to know about promising musicians and organisations working for the underprivileged — that is my aim. It is also a chance to showcase them to Bangaloreans and connect them to people who want to aid a cause.”
Voices in unison
This year’s event will include singers who have made their debut on reality shows and are also classically trained. Saurav Kishan, who is slowly making a name for himself as ‘Chota Rafi,’ Aaroh Shankar, Ranita Banerjee and Shruti Bhide will be singing this year.
“We have also included three medleys for this program that everyone is bound to enjoy,” says Sandhya, adding that her choice of singers was based on the selection of songs she had whittled from a long list that included classics such as Baiju Bawra’s ‘Mann Tadapath Hari Darshan Ko Aaj,’ upbeat numbers like ‘Na Jaa, Kahin Ab Na Jaa’ and love songs like ‘Zindagi Bhar Nahi Boolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat.”
Ranita Banerjee, one of the singers for Sur Sandhya 2024
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Special Arrangement
According to Sandhya, a live orchestra is the best way to enjoy the music of this era. “This time round, our 25-instrument orchestra will comprise 10 violins with a cello and double bass. Other instruments include the tabla, conga, dholak, banjo, rhythm pads, viola, sitar, flute, guitar and saxophone. Several musicians in the orchestra — including flautist Ashwini Kaushik, an accomplished Western and Indian classical instrumentalist — are from Karnataka.”
First note
What got Sandhya started on this philantropic track? “I grew up in Chikmagalur and come from a family where classical music and movie tracks were part of our day, thanks to the radio and transistor. My mother Shantha and father Venugopal who was an engineer, loved the old Hindi classics. He often said, ‘If Rafi is the King of Melody, Mukesh is the King of Melancholy’. My father also had a mammoth LP collection that was our family’s prized possession.”
Sandhya’s father was not even 60 years old when he passed away. “We were heart broken. All we wanted to do was plan a tribute to the man who introduced us to the world of music.” Sandhya was encouraged by her school teacher Shadakshari (a Best Teacher Rajyothsava Awardee) to hone her public speaking skills.
Saurav Kishan, one of the singers for Sur Sandhya 2024
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Special Arrangement
This made it easier for her to approach playback star Manna Dey — who had settled down in Bengaluru by then — to lead the show for her very first Sur Sandhya in 2001. “Since then, it has been a well-oiled, melodic-machine with a theme for every edition and contributions for the deserving.”
Sandhya credits her family for the event’s continued success. “My entire family — from my husband ST Ramesh, a former DIG of Police and music connoisseur, to my sisters, brother and daughters — works together as a team to bring meaning to this melodic exercise. Everyone has a role in making it happen.”
Shruti Bhide, one of the singers for Sur Sandhya 2024
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Special Arrangement
Driving force
In 2016, Basmati Gagrai began a primary school under a tree in Lamjahari Village, near West Singhbhum forest, with just four students. It was later registered as a public charitable trust — Rural Development of Child Education and Women Empowerment (RDCEWE). Today, the school has nearly 350 students with a few of her friends on board as teachers.
Putting her fund and resource management skills to good use, Basmati managed to construct five class rooms with locally available mud, clay and an asbestos roof, on a piece of land owned by her cousin. After school hours, Basmati and her friends would work in nearby farms to make ends meet.
Despite her efforts, she is quick to share the praise. “It was providential that the team led by former bankers and businessman R Venkatanathan with Chokkalingam and Hariharan, were generous in sourcing funds for the cause,” says Basmati, who has also brought other community-driven projects and women empowerment programs to her village.
Sur Sandhya will take place at Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts, Kanakapura Road, on November 30, at 6pm. Tickets on BookMyShow
Published – November 28, 2024 01:37 pm IST
