NVK’S MUSICAL PROGRAMME ON 7TH MAR 2019 AT SATTAVIS PATIDAR CENTRE
Today was a cloudy and windy Spring day with temperature of 11C, when we had our first musical programme of this year at our normal venue and though we had informed that the doors would be open at 10.00 am, and only volunteers should come before 9.30 am to make all preparations, many members were so excited that they turned up very early and everyone was full of enthusiasm, wearing smart dresses, colourful saris or suits.
After signing their names in the register, they were given chocolates, which were sponsored by Binaben, Rasilaben and Prabhudasbhai Shah.
Then they entered the Hall, where a table was beautifully decorated with NVK’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services and the Certificate, and after presenting their tickets to the volunteers table they went and occupied their preferred seats on tables with friends – there was free seating.
All the tables in the Hall were colourfully decorated with flower pots and there was water bottles placed with glasses.
Today’s attendance was over 350 members and guests, which is now becoming a norm in our special programmes with live music. This shows how popular our programmes are growing day by day.
Our Secretary - Jayantbhai Doshi started the programme at 11.00 am welcoming everyone and informed that Vasant Malde of Gujarat Arts & Drama had arranged singers from Mumbai – Heartwave of Bollywood playback singers – Anand Palwankar and Shefali Taggarsi to entertain us today. He also requested all present to maintain silence when the singers were singing so that everyone can enjoy the music.
On the stage in the centre of Hall was the music Group of Anand & Shefali and the drummer/tabala player. Music started soon and everyone was in a joyous mood and joined in clapping and encouraging the singers. After a while the dance floor was crowded with dancing members and this continued till the end.
The Group sang several oldies and unforgettable tunes from the “Bhuli Bishri Yadeein”, which were highly applauded as members also started to sing with their melodious tunes. Several requests from members for their favourite songs were sung to the delight, dancing and clapping by members. Some of the songs were hits from the fiftees and sixtees and very well appreciated by all.
At 12.45 pm there was a break for lunch, when Jayantbhai Doshi gave Vote of Thanks to :
* Vasant Malde and the singers – Anand & Shefali who gave such wonderful music.
*The sponsors for today’s Special lunch - Shantilal & Vanitaben Shah and Ratibhai & Kantaben Shah in remembrance of their beloved father – late Shri Devchand Bhoja Shah’s 50th ‘Punya Tithi’, who had passed away in Mombasa exactly 50 years ago – on 7/3/1969.
* As always- Binaben, Rasilaben & Prabhudasbhai Shah for sponsoring chocolates which were given at the Entrance to the Hall.
* NVK is proud of its volunteers since its inception over 12 years ago, and as always they came early to arrange everything and make sure all goes well. Right from decorating and preparing tables for us, serving food at lunch time, arranging refills from Kitchen, clearing up thereafter. Everything which needed attention had been looked after by these volunteers.
* Staff and Management of Sattavis Patidar Centre for giving wonderful service and offering help that was needed.
* As always Meera caterers who have looked after us providing delicious food.
* Last but not least to you all for supporting us and coming in such large numbers to attend the music programme. Volunteers and Committee Members are encouraged and delighted by your enthusiasm and support.
Our President - Vinod Parekh then announced that he felt great pride in addressing to such a large gathering and he welcomed all the guests. He further stated that next month we will have our AGM and if anyone wants to be elected in the Committee, he should be a genuine worker, be prepared for hard work and be ready to volunteer whenever needed. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, he wished all the ladies present good luck. Also our first trip will be to Torquay from 25/3 to 29/3 where over 150 people have joined.
At lunch time the sponsored Special Menu was : Churma Na Ladu, Masala Puri, Mix Bhajia, Peas Kachori. Green beans/Spinach/sweet corn sakh, Adad Ni Daal, Rice with peas, Kadhi, “Fur –Fur”, Chutney & Pickles. Everyone enjoyed the sumptuous meal.
Music continued after lunch until nearly 3.30 pm when the singer – Anand announced that he was happy to note that there were 420 members in our Group, but he remarked he did not see any Senior Citizens – he quipped all of us were young members taking part in garbas and dances. When Shefali sang “Vande Matram” all members stood up and the atmosphere was electrifying when everyone gave standing ovation. Also there was a wonderful rhythmic contest between Anand with his music and the "Tabla/Drummer" with his fantastic beats. It seemed to gather momentum with every beat and everyone joined in clapping and applauding this marvellous scenario.
At the end, the Gujarati Garbas were a hit and the dancing floor was packed with members performing garbas. Everyone praised this group with their tuneful songs.
It was a matter of pride for NVK to see many members in their seventies and eighties taking part in Garbas so joyfully and happily. It seems we have to keep many such programmes which are a delight and full of joy to our members.
My only request to members is despite announcements to maintain silence when the artistes are singing, there was too much talking and ongoing noise - why do we spoil the enjoyment of others ? Please tell me is this befitting to an organisation like ours who have received The Queen's Award for amongst many things - discipline. Even the artistes also prefer to have complete silence whilst they sing to maintain their momentum. We all have a tendency to talk with friends whom we may not have met for a long time, but cannot we just leave that for other time - after all we only have such programmes 2 or 3 times a year and we are going to meet for over 50 times a year.
At 2.45pm NVK distributed Kesar Pista Ice Cream with Wafer, which was enjoyed by all.
Everyone had enjoyed the fantastic music and applauded them and remarked about the very enjoyable programme. The food and the music were also excellent. From the members’ views, it seemed this was yet another fantastic programme we have had so far.
PRAFUL SHAH
PRO - NVK
A River Cruise in Europe is being organised and if you are interested, contact our Secretary – Jayantbhai Doshi – jay@jayantdoshi.com
We are meeting next Thursday -14/3 with our usual Yoga and the programme after lunch will be Quiz.
Chimanbhai Sheth has taken over 200 photographs for the programme and all these will be uploaded on our Website - Galleries. Direct link is: http://www.nvk.org.uk/galleries/all.