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!
