It is about Light Music and a Charity Show.

Last Saturday Tara organised a charity show in aid of Pakinson's Disease Society of Karnataka. Desimagik a team of very talented and very popular singers were featured in the show.

We were treated to a heady mixture of music from old and new Hindi films. The young team was full of energy and enthusiasm. There was also a bonus as two grandmothers, Tara and Indira, pitched in. Indira one of the renowned sami sisters added variety with some very popular english melodies of the old. It was nostalgia for many of us! In all a very memorable evening of Light Music!

Prof E. S. Dwaraka Dasa an active managing committee member spoke about the activities of the society and the need for an awareness of the Parkinson's disease. A patient Mr. Venkataramana Shetty later spoke and said that it was a tough disease to cope. He regretted that other patients could not attend as they would not be able to sit through the program. A pity!

PDSK was formed by a group in individuals who were all affected by the disease in some way. It is a support group which holds periodical meetings to spread awareness and counsel patients and the families thus affected. They also celebrate Deepavali as a group and the World Pakinson's day. The press is invited to cover the event and thus advertise the existence of the society. There are about 200 members in the society.

The society also helps indigent patients. The medicines are expensive and Mayura Prahlad, the Asst Secretary said that 30 patients are given free medicine and there are more patients who require this subsidy and the proceeds from this charity show would help. They have a scheme wherein one could sponsor a patient, a worthy cause, which depending on the patient could cost between Rs.1200 to 1500 per month.

She said that anyone in need of more information about PDSK could call her at 080 2333 2668. They could also contact Ms. Ameeta Patel, President at 080 2660 3116 or Ms. Shuba Dasa, Vice President at 080 2361 6110.

Actually the Idea for this charity show came about from an earlier program Tara had organised a while ago. Tara caught this bollywood bug in Bangkok and luckily for her Desimagik who had performed in Bangakok are situated in Bengaluru. Tara approached Rajini Seetharam (Dolly for us!) with a proposal for a program where seniors in her age group would perform along with a few young artists from Desimagik as an experiment. I believe Dolly went along with the idea just to humor Tara!

The experiment was well received and I remember asking Tara at that time 'Now what?'. She said, 'We could do charity shows! It will cost less than a full fledged Desimagik show and with a few sponsors we could help a few social service organizations and we could also entertain seniors who are unable to attend'.

I admit to being a bit lukewarm about Tara singing Bollywood music, but I am glad that she persisted with her idea with her usual zeal and Saturday's program was a grand success. The house was more than full! A number of our friends and relatives supported us by buying the donors passes! A few of them got us sponsors as well. More than we had hoped.

We would like to thank R.T. Kumar for the artistically designed donor passes. And Dolly for her total commitment to make this program memorable. In fact she was injured just a few hours before the program due to a freak accident but was there even though she was in pain. And of course our dear friends Raji and Lakshminarayan who encouraged Tara as usual to go for it! We know we can always depend on Lakshmi to get sponsors for a good cause! Special Thanks also to Hari, Mamta, Kanchana and Nandini, the younger generation, for their support as well.

On a personal level being there was very poignant for us as we were constantly reminded of Prahlad who is no more with us. Tara and I, Raji and Lakshmi have such wonderful memories of our Pune days together with Mayura and Prahlad.

Later, we were witness to the changes caused by Parkinson's
when we visited them in Bangalore. Prahlad was mentally very strong and never showed his frustration and would be his usual self; a considerate and a gracious person. But, I am also reminded of one visit where the effect of his medicine had worn off and it was very tough for me to see him suffer.

I asked Mayura later, 'How do you manage such moments'. I can never forget what she said: 'Normally he is very positive and very courageous, but there are moments when he cannot get over his frustration and he takes it out on me! After all he is human!' I then asked her 'How do you take it yourself'. She replied 'I take it as Tapasya'. It is remarkable that she still does this penance for other victims of Parkinson's.

On our last visit a few months before he passed away, he wanted Tara to sing and he heard her with his eyes closed. The image has never left me and it felt good that Tara was singing to help many more thus afflicted with Parkinson's.

I have requested Mayura to tell us the story of her life as she faced Parkinson's and saw the changes in Prahlad both physically and mentally. He was very handsome, a model in his younger days for Binny's and I remember the story he told me once. He visited Russia while he was working with Alfa Laval and the Russians thought he was Raj Kapoor and refused to believe him when he said he was not.

Mayura has said she will try and write. I hope she does. It is a story which she, her son Venkat and his wife Vidya could tell us. I am sure it will help a lot of people who are victims of PD.


Here are a few pictures of the very enjoyable evening and I hope to add a few clips of these talented youngsters the next time I blog about them.

Krupa did a charming job as the compere of the show.
Sparkling Smriti was her smiling best.

Nachiket was intense and mellow.
Satish was as energetic as ever.
Tara was at her melodius best.
For a change Satish was standing still!
Indira was as cool as ever!
We had some lovely audience
Tara profusely thanks all those who supported this program .
You can see the young back benchers having a great time.
Distinguished guests.
Friends and relatives. That is Mamta standing there:-)

The finale'. Nice to see Mayura smile!

Comments

Rohini said…
Congrats to amma & group for the wonderful event...and thanks for posting about it. Since the Pune days the word "gentleman" was always synonymous with prahlad uncle for me.
VATSALA said…
It was a nice function with good results.
Glad I could attend
Raghu
Thanks Raghu
Glad you made it in spite of your busy shedule!

True Rohini. A good description of his qualities.
Unknown said…
Thanks so much for your wonderful coverage of this special event Nidhi. This is such a worthy cause. Kudos to Tara, Dolly and all the organizers, singers and participants of the show. All of you are truly amazing and inspirational!
Unknown said…
It must feel so good to have supported a worthy cause and when youth is encouraged to do it and enjoy themselves at the same time everyone is happy! Well done, Tara! Good job, recording it Nidhi!

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