The Collins Center for Performing Arts, Andover was packed with expectant Bollywood music lovers on the evening of April 22. At the “Everlasting Melodies “show featuring well known singers Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Palakurthi, there was something for everyone to see, to listen and to experience. The show was organized by entertainment company “Aapka Manoranjan” with a partnership with Rocky and Balaji entertainment who were the national promoters for this event.

A large panel of glittering, light-weight silver tinsel strands was suspended behind a sixteen piece live orchestra band on the spacious stage. Revolving lights in several different colors bathed the stage in shades of royal blue, purple and green every few minutes.  The percussion section consisting of a full Western drum set, conga drums, dholak, tambourine and a variety of rhythm accessories was situated on the left side of the stage. To the right, there were three large synthesizer keyboards with computers controlling the sound levels. A Western flute player and a saxophone player stood behind the keyboards. At the center of the stage, towards the back were four violin players. The singers took positions in the center of the stage in front of the orchestra band, between two electric guitar players.  

The famous playback singer, Kumar Sanu, winner of 4 film fare awards wearing a gleaming, heavy gold linked chain changed outfits twice during the show. “Why are songs are written only about the beauty of women? Men are tall and handsome too” he joked light-heartedly, setting up an atmosphere of free conversational exchanges between him and the members of the audience. During the show, a few members of the audience danced enthusiastically and spontaneously on a mini-stage located on the side of the auditorium.

Endowed with an impressive stage presence, Kumar Sanu possessed the marvelous ability to engage his audience with stories of life experiences with music producers like R.D Burman, film makers such as Sooraj Badjatya and peer musicians such as Himesh Reshamiya. Bending over at an angle, in a rock star performer’s stance holding a wireless microphone in his hands, Sanu regaled listeners with a wide range of songs from hit films of 1990s with the cool confidence of a stalwart Bollywood performer. “Dil hai ki maanta nahin”, “Ek ladki ko dekha tho aisa lagaa”, “Aaja aaja ub kaisa sharmaana”, were a few songs that elicited instantaneous applause from the audience.

Meaningful lyrics about love and separation by master lyricists such as Javed Akhtar were meticulously phrased by Kumar Sanu who was adept at the art of subtle modulation of vocal intensity to create emotional impact through his song delivery. He often used hand gestures to bring out the meaning of the lyrics as in showing a deer in a forest to create an image of “bun me hiran” in the minds of listeners. In a lively conversation with emcee Raviraj about the song “Ik ladki ko dekha tho aisa lagaa”,  Sanu demonstrated how the music director R.D Burman expected the word “Jaise” to be delivered in a fresh new manner each time the word appeared in a phrase as in “Jaise khilta gulaab, Jaise shaayar khwaab…” While singing the touching song “Jab koyi baat bigad jaaye”, he hoped that his rendition would benefit atleast one life of a person. “This song has been used for therapy” he said. The gesture of dedicating a song to people facing problems in life gave a glimpse into the singer’s kind hearted nature.

Anuradha Ghosh, winner of the “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Bengal” prize wearing a brocaded majenta pink lehanga outfit had opened the concert earlier with lilting yesteryear songs that included “Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko” and “O meri sona re sona re sona”. Walking around the stage in a brisk and confident manner, she rendered her songs with ease and connected well with the audience. The live orchestra consisting of trained musicians created a grand musical experience. Perfectly tuned violins and wind instruments, powerful synthesizers, energy packed drumming on the dholak and drums, deft conducting by the band master sporting a bright red jacket and an electric guitar delivered a spectacular score. “These musicians have been with me for 26 long years – since the time of release of the original hit film Aashiqui” said Kumar Sanu in a tribute to them. Sound engineering is a complex science and the management of sound in the auditorium was good even though the audience sitting in the front rows sometimes felt that it was loud to the point of drowning out the female singing voices especially in the mellow songs sung in the lower register. Emcee Raviraj, engaged the audience with jokes, his observations on community behaviors of various Indian states such as Gujrat and Punjab as well as his impressions on the music of the singers of the evening - Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Ghosh and Anuradha Palakurthi.

Fahmo Ahmed, a college student who studies in Maine traveled for six hours in a bus to come to Boston to attend the show. “I am a big fan of Kumar Sanu and have followed his singing for many years. I am enjoying the show very much.” she said. Fahmo spoke good Hindi even though she was born and brought up in Ethiopia. “Hindi is taught in some high schools in Ethiopia. Bollywood films and film songs are a big favorite of Ethiopians” she explained. Another concert attendee, Padma, said that she liked the concert because it brought back movie scenes featuring her favorite actors ShahRukh Khan and Kajol to her mind. This comment highlighted the high quality of music presented at the Everlasting Melodies show.

Introducing singer Anuradha Palakurthi as “The Nightingale of East London”, emcee Raviraj complimented Anuradha on her beautiful voice and said “Inki awaaz mein ek aisi kashish thi, ki mere dil mein ghur banaa diya” (Anuradha’s voice had such an attractive voice that it made a home in my heart). Looking gorgeous in a bright green chiffon sari studded with sequins with shiny, traditional jhumkas in her ears, Anuradha made an entrance from the side of the auditorium singing the much loved song “Kya karoon hai - kuch kuch hota hai”.

Music lovers of Bollywood songs residing in the Boston area have known Anuradha Palakurthi’s talent through two solo musical shows by her in the past two years that featured the works of eminent composers Madan Mohan and R.D Burman. In the everlasting melodies show, she began by rendering several popular solo songs before singing duets with Kumar Sanu. Slow paced numbers such as “akele hai tho ghum kya hai” contrasted fast paced numbers such as “bolay choodiyaan bolay kungnaa” as well as the evergreen hit song “ek do teen char paanch cheh…” from the movie Tezaab.

The audience was very receptive to Anuradha’s sweet voice, her soaring notes and her pleasant presence on the stage. Thanking her Boston family, members of her husband Prashant Palakurthi’s company Reflexis, members of popular Boston band “Din Check”, Anuradha held her own on stage whether singing solo or singing duets with singing partner Kumar Sanu. “tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam” and “baazigar ho baazigar” were excellent duets with playful interaction between Anuradha and Kumar Sanu in the form of light-hearted acting to create a fun-filled experience for viewers.

Arsh and Anil Mehrotra, the owners of Aapka Manoranjan who brought the Everlasting Melodies show to Boston and paired the singers Anuradha Palakurthi with Kumar Sanu took turns in thanking the artists, sponsors and the audience. Arsh thanked local sponsors Leader Bank, Alankaar Creations, The Bollywood Grill, Kay Pee Jewellers, Smita’s Boutique, Tanna Insurance, Udupi Indian Restaurant, Chettinad Indian Grill, Collins Center staff and media partners. Anil thanked his wife Arsh for her service to the entertainment industry in Boston and recited a line of a poem in her honor - “Phir yoon hua ki sabr ki unglee pakad ke hum, itna chaley, key raaste pareshaan ho gaye…”

Towards the end of the 3.5 hour long show, Anuradha Ghosh joined Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Palakurthi to bid a fond farewell to the enthusiastic Boston audience. It was a moment of great pride for Boston to see local artist Anuradha Palakurthi share stage with the veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu from India to recreate the magic of melodies from yesteryears in a live performance setting. Kudos to all the performers, organizers and the volunteers for the successful event. We hope we get to  see more shows with local artists paired with leading Indian musicians.

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