Udit & Aditya Narayan - Live in Concert

After successful and mind-blowing shows in San Antonio, Pittsburg, Miami, Toronto, New Jersey, Ottawa, Orlando, Raleigh, Vancouver, Houston and San Fransisco the biggest musical event of the year 2008 arrived Dayton

Bollywood playback legend Udit Narayan entertained with a warmly performed selection of some of his hit songs at the Performing Arts Center on May 4, 2008.

The supporting cast of performers that included his 20-year-old son, rising star Aditya Narayan, starlet Preeti Jhangiani and Indian Idol contestant Aditi Paul, dominated the three and half hour show.

Narayan, who has racked up dozens of hit singles in Hindi, Tamil, Nepali and other languages over a career that spans two decades, largely limited his repertoire here to his Hindi hits, ranging from his perennial opening number Papa Kehte Hain to the 2007 super-hit Do You Wanna Partner?

Many of Narayan's biggest hits have been picturized on Shah Rukh Khan, and the singer brought back happy memories of Khan films such as Om Shanti Om, Dil To Paagal Hai, Don and Veer-Zaara.

Dressed in a sharp, black pinstriped suit with a bright red silk tie, Narayan sporting a moustache and a new, hip short haircut  brought a touch of old-fashioned charm to the look onstage, surrounded by Bollywood dancers and backed by a spry seven-piece band. He tried to bring a feeling of intimacy to the vast space of the Performing Arts Center (it was the first big show in this newly built theater) with light-hearted banter and quirky but endearing dance steps.

He worked his way through a lineup of songs that included Tere Naam, Nasha Yeh Pyar Ka Nasha Hai, Pehla Nasha, Khaike Paan Banaraswala, Main Nikla, Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai and the melodious Main Yahan Hoon from Veer-Zaara.

Narayan ceded the stage to his talented son, giving Aditya almost as much stage time as his famous father, but the crowd didn't seem to mind at all. Aditya, who made a smashing impression on the Narayan's last visit to Dayton nine years ago, has matured into a handsome, full-voiced young star in his own right.

On stage, while Udit Narayan dazzled the crowds with his ever-popular melodious numbers, Aditya Narayan turned up the energy level a few notches by singing and performing to the latest and hottest tracks, such as Mauja Hi Mauja and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Backstage, this father and son duo was as warm and personable as ever. Mr. Udit Narayan proudly declared, My son is great. All the girls love him! Aditya also joined his dad for a fun version of Do you wanna partner? and Deewangee.

Aditi Paul, who appeared on Indian Idol in early 2005, lent her supple voice to songs such as Beedi, Dama Dam Mast Kalandar and other songs.

Deepa Narayan, Udit's wife, joined him for a couple of Nepali numbers; Preeti Jhangiani showed up in a glittery black costume to dance to Crazy Kiya Re, Aaja Nachle and other songs.

Lamhe - Live by Legends

Lamhe - Live by Legends

A delightful musical evening, Lamhe - Live by Legends was hosted by the Yukta Garg Memorial Foundation and India Club of Greater Dayton on Sunday, June 27 at Performing Arts Center in Centerville High School. The live concert brought back  nostalgic moments (lamhe) of an golden era of Bollywood music.

The performers were Bollywood veteran playback singers Kavita Krishnamurty and Suresh Wadkar. To younger audiences, the two classically trained singers are recognizable as frequent judges on India's musical contest reality shows. The veterans were joined by youngsters Sanchita Bhattacharya, the winner of the Saregamapa Lil Champs contest, and Aavez Darbar of Fame Gurukul. The singers were accompanied by the popular Saregamapa musicians, including Girish Vishwa on the dholak and percussion.

More than 800 Bollywood fans, who remembered the glory days  of Suresh Wadkar and Kavita Krishnamurthy, attended the concert. The concert got going when Suresh sang his first hit song, Main hu prem rogi. Wadkar's rendition of Surmai shyam from the movie Lekin, "Aur Is Dil Mein" from the movie Imandaar, "Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le" from the movie Sadma were superb. Wadkar and Aavez created positive energy when they sang the popular number Chappa chappa charakha chale from the movie Maachis.

Kavita Krishnamurthy's opening invocation from the movie Bhairavi was an apt begining with a mix of fun songs like Hawa Hawai and topped it with Pyar Hua Chhupke se from the movie 1942 Love Story. It was also nice to see  and hear the duet rendition of some of the evergreen songs such as Sawan ka Mahina from the movie Milan and Jo wada kiya from the movie Taj Mahal. Kavita, who received the Padmashri award, concluded her set with a zestful rendition of Dola re dolafrom the movie Devdas.

June 2010

A Night of Culture