Happy Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day

A popular Valentine's gift in the 1980s and 90s was the mixtape. People put together a collection of their favorite song (mostly love songs) and recorded it on a cassette and gifted it to the one that they loved. As tapes moved to CDs, collections of favorite love songs of the couple became popular giveaways at weddings. And for special anniversaries, the CD included songs from the years when the couple got married. 

Kristel and I celebrate our 25th Valentine's Day today. And I thought I'd create my own mixtape right here on this blog for us to cherish - and hopefully entertain you all a bit as well. 

I learnt the piano for a couple of years in school, and continued practicing and trying to pick up new songs on it even after stopping the regular lessons. Just a month into college, I indicated my interest in participating in singing at the upcoming Malhar - the very popular intercollegiate festival hosted at St. Xavier's college and was inducted into the performing group with Mylene, Priya, Jonathan (the pianist) and Noel (the guitarist). The song we sang was 'P.S. I Love You' by the Beatles. At Christmas time that year, all of us joined together with some other singers from college with the choir from Our Lady of Dolours Church, Wadala to sing Christmas Carols at The Oberoi. Working along with all these friendly musicians made me realise that being able to play an instrument was a real blessing - and how much better it would be to be able to accompany myself.

So a few days before my seventeenth birthday in mid-April, Dad and I walked into the Haribhau Vishwanath Musicals (shop) right outside Dadar Station (West) and walked out with a guitar. We had a couple of chord books at home, and yes Dad was also around if I needed help. And so the journey started, to learn the few simple chords. One of the first songs that I tried was "Annie's Song" by John Denver. 

Didn't quite know why the song was called that, but nevertheless enjoyed the lilting melody and the soothing voice that John Denver sang it with. This is possibly an anthem for every guitarist (another one being Hotel California). A lot of musicians play it by plucking the strings, while I still prefer the sound and the rhythm of the strum.

A few days later, the annual Summer Camp at our parish began. And as always, the entire family shone on the day of the music talent competition. The song I chose to sing was "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" and I had worked out the chords of the song. However, with just a week or so of touch on the guitar, I wasn't confident of pulling it off, so got someone else to accompany me. Unfortunately, my accompanist kind of blanked out while I was on stage, and I found myself turning around back to prompt the chords to her. The experience made my resolve even stronger to master the instrument. 

It was about the same time that my Dad had given his old 1967 guitar for a little repair and Wilburn - Chembur's best came to drop it back after his elder brother Alan had done his bit on it. My brother convinced Wilburn to sign me up as his first student. And that was another important step in the learning process. I dropped by a couple of times a week for the next year or so, and practices the most intricate Latin rhythms while Wilburn demonstrated his own expertise around songs like Tico Tico, Maria Elena, Besame Moucho and more. Wilburn is still very active in the Mumbai music circles. A few days ago my Facebook feed was showing clips from the movie "Fashion". There was this one scene of a wedding and there was this band playing there. As the camera panned through the band, there he was with his characteristic long hair doing what he does best - playing the guitar.  

Being the only musician among my siblings at the time , I had the opportunity to work out on a wide genre of songs that all sang. The next year at the summer camp, I was the most sought after accompanist and played 12 out of the 16 songs performed that night. Working out music was different those days with the limited resources available. There were no chordbooks with the latest songs (Pop Hits had only oldies) and no internet like there is now. As time passed by I made new friends in the music circles - my stints on radio, compering weddings, singing in bands, etc. got me an exposure to the technology of music. Came across the term 'minus-one' and reached out to the DJ (Ian Concessio) whom we had booked to play at my sister's wedding to create one for us to sing the first dance at her wedding. My brother and I sang this song, that I chose to record on her anniversary earlier this month - "Paint My Love" by Michael Learns To Rock. 

At my own wedding, I sprung a surprise on Kristel when we were in the centre of the dance floor ready to take our first steps today to our bridal special. The song that played - my own rendition of Lonestar's 'Amazed'. 

Sunil Pinto · Amazed

This is the same recording from back then that I had recorded with a line-out from my fancy keyboard in 2001 - Yamaha PSR 745 into the Creative sound card on my desktop in my little studio apartment in Dubai. The one year I lived in that apartment had me working out a lot of music - any time of day sometimes until late trying to perfect the parts using Cakewalk software- what is now referred to as DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). 

While on the topic of Bridal specials, this next song also in the country-folk style was the special at the wedding of a colleague who grew to be a very good friend over our last few years there - "Faithful" by Lobo. Interesting to note that Roland Kent LaVoie is still making music at the age of 81. He lives in Florida with his wife Susie and their dog named Boo (just kidding!)    

This couple loved to party and really enjoyed  music. And we were an integral part of their parties organising the music - live or DJ at most of them over the four year span that we worked together before they moved to Canada. We attended a Carnival party with them at Umm Al Quwain, some gatherings at their house at Dubai Silicon Oasis and the most memorable were the ones at a Farmhouse they managed to find between Sharjah and Fujairah. I remember partying at the farmhouse on several ocassions starting in Thursday night as the emcee and DJ and continuing the music the next day with live singing sessions that went on all day. This next song was his ringtone for quite a while - a deep and reflective song in the uncertainty of love and life. "If Tomorrow Never Comes" - by Ronan Keating. 

I had this blog in mind last Sunday when I sat down and recorded this song. Was quite coincidental that while I posted it on social media late on Sunday night, a few hours earlier, my country star nephew in New Zealand posted his own version of the Garth Brooks on his insta story.  

That's all for now.... Hope you enjoyed reading my tales and listening to this music. Do share your feedback and suggestions. Plan to keep this blog active and also my YouTube Channel. Would love for you to follow my social handles and subscribe to the YouTube Channel. 

Echoes of Geet Bahar: A Personal Music Memoir

Earlier this month, I saw a poster announcing the Alumni Geet Bahar at Podar College, and it felt like stepping into a time machine. Memories of my own college days came rushing back, and with them, the excitement and joy that Geet Bahar used to bring. It wasn’t just another cultural event—it was the event, where everyone came together to celebrate music and talent. I can still picture my fellow-students, backed by a professional orchestra, putting their hearts into performances that left the audience awestruck. I’ll never forget the hauntingly beautiful rendition of Pankaj Udhas’ “Chitti Aayi Hai” or the evergreen hits from the 70s that filled the hall with so much nostalgia.

Geet Bahar was a stage where raw talent blossomed into brilliance. Many of those performers went on to make big waves in the music world. Mahalakshmi Iyer - a year my senior - is among these. Every time she walked on stage, the audience erupted into a standing ovation even before she sang a note. And when she did sing, it was magic. Watching her now on TV with Shankar Mahadevan and his troupe or catching her performances on social media is such a joy. 

Another name that stands out is Ram Sampath. I never saw him on the Geet Bahar stage since he joined college after I graduated, but I was already exposed to his talent from when he was just 7. He lived just a short walk from my place, and he was always experimenting with something different - whether it was a music competition or even a fancy dress event! His creativity and passion were evident even then, so it’s no surprise he’s now a powerhouse in the Indian music industry.

And then there’s Sarosh Izedyar, one of the best lead guitarists I’ve ever known. Met him on my very first day in college, we actually sat on the same bench. Later I discovered that he was this guitarist I encountered a couple of years earlier at an inter-school competition. The school has come to participate in the competition with these two guitarists playing electric, without quite having checked the rules.  Today, Sarosh shares the stage with the likes of Shaan and Farhan Akhtar. Had the privilege to hear him play Dire Straits covers with some other good friends. 

I actively participated in English music competitions during college, but I never took the stage for Geet Bahar. My hesitation stemmed from the fact that my accent when speaking and singing Hindi was quite atrocious. But life has a way of teaching you, and over the years, I’ve learned to embrace versatility. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, and performing Hindi songs has become something I truly enjoy.

This post is from the NMIMS Alumni gathering in 2019.  The Rock ‘n’ Roll vibe of “Papa Kehte Hain” gets me really grooving. Here is a full recording of the song.

Fast forward to this year’s alumni meet on 11th January. The event featured some interesting performances, including “Senorita". My wife and I recorded our own version the very next day, and the love we received on Facebook was overwhelming (over 3000 views and more than 200 likes). 

Speaking of love for music, my journey with the keyboard began in a rather unconventional way. I learned by ear—and eyes! I’d watch keyboardists like Roney Gomes, who led the band I was part of in the 90s, and try to replicate their finger movements when I got home. Roney taught me so much without even realizing it. And my NMIMS batchmate, Apoorva Deshingkar, was another inspiration. His finesse with melodies and interludes, especially on songs like “Pehla Nasha,” was unmatched. I still remember a particular twirl he played across certain notes that sounded so perfect—it left you wondering where that came from. Apoorva, if you’re reading this, it’s been way too long—let’s catch up for a jam session soon!

Here’s to more music, more memories, and keeping the magic of those college days alive. Stay tuned for more tunes and tales!

Singing Our Story: Duets That Define Us

30th December 2001! On this day, Kristel and I walked down the aisle at Our Lady of Egypt Church, Kalina, Mumbai promising to love and honour each other - for better or worse, in sickness and health, till death do us part. As we sat down on a quiet Sunday evening trying to line up a plan for our special day, the idea popped up to revisit the melodies that have accompanied me on through the journey.

The Sweet Beginning

“Jesus, You’re The Sweetest Name of All,” was the first song we sang together as a duet during our nuptial service.  This hymn has inspired us to build our marriage on a strong foundation of faith and harmony.

Building a Harmonious Home

After a short trip to Singapore, we returned to Dubai to start our new life together. Our first home was a cozy studio - It was in this apartment that our musical experiments truly began. One of the first songs we sang together was Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman’s “Something Stupid,” The song was released just a days before our wedding – an interesting coincidence.

Classics That Defined Us

Another favorite duet we cherish is the Irving Berlin classic, “I Wonder Why (You’re Just In Love),” from the 1950s film Call Me Madam. This song’s delightful polyphony - two verses sung simultaneously—is a delightful challenge, much like marriage itself.

A Bollywood Touch: Nostalgia and Romance

As life brought us back to Mumbai, our playlist grew to include some beloved Bollywood hits. While “Papa Kehte Hain” is a personal favorite that I perform as part of a Rock ‘n’ Roll medley, Kristel’s melodic voice beautifully suits the romantic love song from the same movie QSQT, “Ghazab Ka Ye Din.”

 

A few years later when I was studying in NMIMS, Jo Jeeta Woh Sikander became a hit. The song "Pehla Nasha" perfectly captures the magic of young love.

Keeping the Music Alive

We hope you’ve enjoyed the performances that we’ve shared here. These songs are more than just covers; they’re snapshots of our life together, moments frozen in harmony.

We look forward to many more music sessions as a couple in the upcoming year. We’d love to have your suggestions on other songs we should work on together. 

Bollywood Backstage: Memories, Melodies, and Magic Moments

The past few weeks at work have been a whirlwind of high energy and anticipation. We were all gearing up for the SCREENXX Summit and Awards, held on November 13th in Mumbai. It was a flurry of activity—entries streaming in, juries deliberating, final results being tallied, trophies polished, agenda locked, invitations sent out, and registrations in full swing. The most thrilling part? The big question: Which celebrities would actually make it for the night?

As the day approached, the buzz was palpable. Would the stars align (quite literally) and grace us with their presence? It felt like the entire team was holding its breath.

After a long day of planning, I’d unwind at home, instinctively reaching for my phone. And as if by some magical algorithm (or maybe Big Brother keeping tabs on my Bollywood mood), my social media feed served me snippets from series like Panchayat and Very Parivarik. It was like the universe was playing along, providing the perfect dose of entertainment just when I needed it.

The event turned out to be a roaring success! Stars from the small screen dazzled the audience, receiving a raucous cheer as if it were the climax of a blockbuster. Though I haven’t been following Hindi OTT shows as religiously lately, and it’s been a while since I binge-watched a series, the collective excitement was contagious. The presence of yesteryear celebrities, like Chunky Panday, brought back a flood of memories from simpler times.

Bollywood Nostalgia: Growing Up in the Golden Era

Growing up in the 80s in Mumbai, it was impossible to escape the Bollywood wave. At just 5 or 6 years old, I remember the thrill of watching the youngest Kapoor brother, Rajiv Kapoor, playing cricket on our school field. The odd walk through Union Park in Chembur had us trying to spot Om Prakash, the veteran actor as we passed by his bungalow there.

Sundays were special days indeed. The roads were clear as families indulged in the Sunday evening ritual watching that long-awaited movie on TV. Subsequently that moved moved to Saturdays and the regional treat took over the Sunday. On weeknights, the entire family would huddle around the TV to watch Chitrahaar and Chhayageet, eagerly waiting for our favourite songs. The introduction of colour TV during the 1982 Asian Games marked a turning point. Suddenly, watching TV felt like a whole new experience. We spent dinner time not around the table, but seated on the sofa in front of the TV and keenly kept track of the developments on screen as we followed the serials like 'Hum Log' and later 'Buniyaad'. Also the comedy treats like 'Hum Paanch' and many others.

Summer and Diwali holidays often meant marathon movie sessions at a neighbour’s place. They would rent the movies by the dozen and their living room was a mini-theatre. We didn’t mind sitting on the floor and at times non-stop commentary from the lady of the house who was an absolute movie buff. When we got our own video player, we made the most of it to watch a good mix of Hindi blockbusters as well as English treats.

Flashback to 1988: The Era of QSQT

One movie that stands out vividly in my memory is Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT), released in 1988. The film introduced us to the original chocolate hero, Aamir Khan, who stole everyone’s heart with his captivating performance. But what truly won me over was the music. The peppy, rock-and-roll rhythm of “Papa Kehte Hain”, featuring a cameo by dance maestro J J Rodriguez, is still one of my favorite songs—to listen to, to play, and even to sing. It’s a classic that never gets old. This was one of the early songs I learned to play on the keyboard. Give it a listen here.

Sunil Pinto · Papa Kehte Hain

Recently, on a quiet evening at home with my lovely wife, we found ourselves reminiscing about this film. I started playing another beautiful love song from the movie, and she spontaneously joined in. Here’s our rendition of “Gazab Ka Ye Din”—a timeless melody that still gives us goosebumps.Listen here

Sunil Pinto · Gazab ka hai din.m4a

We’d love to hear your feedback on this rendition. There are a few more covers in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to share them with you soon. Stay tuned for more musical nostalgia!

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Father's Day 2024

On Father's Day today, I decided to put together a little tribute to Dad.... since he (and his siblings) inspired the music in me. 

I Believe sung my Elvis and many others was a song I recall Dad singing from my very early years. One of my sisters actually had him sing it at her nuptials. 

Ten years ago, when I returned to Mumbai, I stepped up to lead the singing at Mass. The first day that I went up, some of the priests of the parish actually thought  that Dad was back from New Zealand - since we have very similar voices. Over the years that he served the parish in the music ministry, a favourite  hymn of his was this Don Moen spiritual - God Will Make A Way. 

What do/ will you remember your Dad by?

The Wedding Season 2021

 The Wedding Season has begun!!!

After a washed out wedding season in 2020 and the first half of 2021, young couples are looking forward to better celebrations in the current season that is just starting.... thanks to the prospect of life returnng to normal - at least in India. In fact, this last Sunday, I witnessed not one, but TWO weddings in my local parish. With some of the regulations still in place, I was requested to provide music at the Church service for both these weddings. 

I couldn't help remember my teenage days, when I was part of this choir group that used to sing for weddings - mostly at Don Bosco's Shrine (Matunga) and Our Lady of Dolours Church (Wadala)... sometimes we got requests to sing at some other churches as well. I once landed for a wedding at Our Lady of Fatima Church Sewri and noticed many familiar faces.... turned out to be the wedding of one of our parishioners there.

Coming back to the music, a favorite song at the Entrance of the service was "The Wedding (Ave Maria)" - by Julie Rogers (1964)

And after the nuptials, a favorite would be "Song of Ruth (Wherever You Go)". The lyrics of this song are from the Bible - the book of Ruth 1: 16-17. In fact the song is not a dedication for marriage. 

The Book of Ruth opens with the death of Naomi's husband and their two sons in a foreign land. Naomi decides to head back home and tells the daughers in law to return to their maiden families. This song is Ruth's reply to Naomi. And rightly so, as the story goes on, Ruth returns to Bethlehem with Naomi and eventually remarries. She is listed as an important Biblical Woman - the great grandmother of King David. 

The song we sang for the current weddings was "But I Wish You Jesus" by Scott Wesley Brown 

 

And for the Finale - was a beautiful song from The Seekers - again from the 1960s - "I'll Never Find Another You". I really enjoyed playing this song which has been adopted by the Marriage Encounter Program as its anthem. The Program orients couples to prepare for marriage and after the wedding to strengthen their commitment. I've uploaded my rendition (cover) of the song on my YouTube Channel. Inviting you to subscribe if you like it. 

I hope you liked it.... If you are a musician, you may be able to benefit from another video I've posted for the song, with the chords of the song.... Do share your feedback. 

Thanks for reading the blog.... I hope you liked the music.

Getting back - Fathers Day and World Music Day 2020

I never realised that it has been such a long time since my last blogpost here. Thinking of getting back to it, today seemed to be a good day to start with the celebration of World Music Day and also Fathers Day in some parts of the world. 

This blog has been about sharing my experiences of growing up with music. And the credit for introducing me to the world of music right from my early years goes to my Dearest Dad. From the very earliest posts on this blog, I have paid rich tributes to Dad and his efforts in making us a musical family to reckon with. As we celebrate Father's Day today, it made sense to me to list down some of the Dad songs that have appealed to me over my lifetime.

During our growing up years, we participated in and attended many singing competitions in the locality. And this soulful dedication to a Dad was put up by many a guy about seven to eight years my senior. 

My dad was really proud of my musical pursuits in my teens and twenties - on radio, band and with instruments. Used to play this track by Boyzone regularly on FM in the late '90s. The original recording though is from Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) in 1970. This song is also recorded by Rod Stewart. 

Being a dad myself right now, I'm pleased to be able to pass on the wonderful gift of music that Dad nurtured in me and all my siblings. I'll sign off with a recent rendition of a song that won me a trophy at the age of seven and had my Dad absolutely thrilled. I performed this just last month on a video broadcast on the office network. This song has passed down with both my sons having sung it as well. 

Will be back with more musical updates right here. But for now, here's wishing all the dad's reading this post "Happy Fathers Day".