On May 10th, the Elks Lodge in Natick was treated to a blast from the past, romancing the 70s. Picture a great hall, with a stage and a dance floor, complete with a bar in swinging 70s decor. Make Love Not War, Peace and other symbols of the decade adorned the walls, with giant flower cutouts. Shimmying from the ceiling were glittering mobiles, and the table centerpieces sported embellished 78 rpm vinyl records. The guests made their entrance in fitting 70s attire - sheer chiffon saris in gorgeous pastels and flower prints, bell-bottom trousers and jump suits, vibrant flowing tunics and disco pants, colorful blazers and bouffant hairdos. While the skies outside became overcast with lowering clouds that threatened to unleash summer's first downpour, the hall came alive as the doors closed and the music began.

Hosting the show were "the bold and the beautiful" Siraj Khan, the man behind the OP Nayyar Memorial Trust and the creative director of many musical events and Swathi Subramanian, President of SwaRaag Performing Arts, Inc. The artist palette included a cast of singers and performers that ranged as much in their unique style as in their age and profession.

Meena Sundaram, a cardiologist and music aficionado
Meenakshi Rana, an accountant by day and a crooner by night
Tehniyat Hakim, a 9th-grader and aspiring singer armed with a guitar
Pankaj Shah, a respectable engineer with the inexhaustible energy of a performer
Rajiv Gangurde, a keen scientist with a penchant for ghazals
Shantanu Sen, a software engineer and an ardent yodeler a la Kishore Kumar
Nayanika, a gainfully unemployed artist, free thinker, and adventurer
Diya, whose frequent visits from the tooth fairy only enhance her diction. She presented her first duet on stage - Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Nata Koi from Aa Gale Lag Ja - with Shantanu Sen.

True to its promise, the songs list spanned and relived the magic of the decade with lilting and romantic melodies such as Piya Bina and Bahut Door Mujhe Chale Jaana Hai, foot-tapping rhythms such as Jaaneman Jaaneman Tere Do Nayan and Kitna Pyaara Waada Hai, high-octane numbers such as Gulabi Aankhein and Aao Na Gale Lagaao Na, and soulful tunes such as Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna Yehi Hai and Aanewala Pal. The dance floor beckoned and soon, the guests were transported to the 70s, sashaying to these unforgettable songs, recalling the glory days of Rajesh Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Kishore Kumar, Gulzar, RD Burman and other icons of the decade.

It was then the turn of the Dancing Divas of New England, who dazzled on the floor with dance moves choreographed to signature Western disco dance numbers such as Dancing Queen, Stayin' Alive, Daddy Cool and Funky Town. The evening also saw the unveiling of Selina Banerjee, Pankaj Mullick's great-granddaughter's debut album, Aaye Bahaar, recorded at EMI Kolkata. May 10th was significant in that it was Pankaj Mullick's 99th birthday.

Romancing the 70s was a benefit concert organised by Nayanika to raise awareness about and funds for RIA House, a developing service organization in Massachusetts to support adult women who have experienced sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking. The mission is to provide much-needed survivor-led and coordinated services leading to the design of a safe and sustaining home community that offers survivor mentorship and social entrepreneurial business opportunities, ultimately, helping sexually exploited women reintegrate into the community as leaders. Nayanika, an advisory team member for RIA House has been working with Heather Wightman and other leaders of the non profit community since its inception in
October 2012.

Sponsors: AIM Dental P.C. and Noureen Design
Dinner caterer: Singh's Cafe, Wellesley
Media partner: Foundations TV
Creative Concept, Design & Decor: Jugaad Design

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