Report & Pics: Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Nov 19: Kuwait's chosen audience has witnessed a most unique concert of recent times which not only mesmerized them but also made them a part of the event every moment. To mark the 10th year anniversary of its existence in Kuwait, the Kuwait chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organized "Usha Uthup Live in Concert" at Cambridge English school, Mangaf on Friday November 18 from 5:30 pm onwards.
Underlining the perfection in the field of accountancy by chartered accountants, the programme started at dot 5:30 pm without a second's delay, with formal introduction by compere of the evening Aditya Vikram Dhanuka followed by welcome address by chairman Hormuzda Davar. He also highlighted the activities of ICAI. Founder members, past chairmen, sponsors, major employers of chartered accountants in Kuwait, Homi Ranina (advocate at Supreme Court of India) and members who have completed 25 years’ of service were felicitated with plaques/momentos by chairman Hormuzda Davar and vice-chairman Ritu Sharma. A members' directory containing the details of chartered accountants under ICAI was unveiled and released. Ritu Sharma proposed vote of thanks.
Without any delay and ahead of the schedule the curtain raised for the much-awaited entertainment by Indian pop diva Padmashree awardee Usha Uthup along with her musicians Raja Narayan Dev (keyboard), Amal Roy (octapad), Nepal Chandra Shaw (bass guitar) and Benu Chatterjee (lead guitar). In her traditional black and gold Kanchipuram saree, jasmine flowers on her hair, hands adorned with bangles, Indian golden ornaments and her trademark bindi, Usha entered with her opening song "I believe in music, I believe in love" with a huge applause and loud cheers from the crowd. She continued the magic with some English numbers such as James Bond 007 'Sky Fall', 'Stand by me', 'Fever', Stevie Wonder's 'I just called' etc.
After the warm up session she electrified the atmosphere with her evergreen Indian songs such as 'Hai ye maya', 'Bulleya', 'Dum maaro dum', 'Jaan e jaa', 'Monica', 'Doston se pyaar kiya', 'Rambha ho', Tamil song 'Rum pum pum', 'Chintata' (Telugu), 'Oh mari mari' by Lorna (Goan Konkani), Azhakulla Fathima (Malayalam), 'Engine ki seeti', 'Huttidare Kannada nadu huttabeku', 'Dhagala Lagli Kala Pani Thim Thim' (Marathi), 'Kolaveri di', 'Senorita' and so on.
Usha at 70 with the energy of a 17-year-old proved that she is a complete package as a singer, compere, standup comedian and a complete entertainer. It was a one-man show by a woman which felt like a concert with a group of professional artistes. With 150 minutes of non-stop singing she rendered a performance rarely seen among today's younger generation of artistes. She is the only female celebrity of her class who jokes on herself to entertain the audience. It was a stress buster to all the audience after a weeklong work. The joy she brings on stage is unparalleled and so is her distinct, ageless voice and inimitable style.
It was a feast to the eyes to see the most calculative and stressed professionals enjoying with Usha forgetting all the job related stress. Along with mental refreshment, she also gave physical exercise to the audience by calling them to the stage to participate in the concert. Whenever she sung in regional languages such as Konkani, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Rajastani, Marathi etc, she called the people of respective states and made them dance and sing. With her high volume voice and attitude of coaxing audience to sing, every hour passed like a minute and the audience were sad when she announced the end with her super hit song "Darling Ankho Se Aankhe Char Karne Do". The whole concert was like an energy boost to both soul and body. The well arranged programme came to an end with a sumptuous buffet dinner.
The Kuwait chapter of the ICAI was inaugurated on April 19, 2006 in Kuwait by the then ICAI president CA T N Manoharan. The Kuwait chapter has been set up to facilitate professional development and provide a platform for networking for Indian chartered accountants coming to Kuwait with career growth aspirations. The chapter's mission is to promote the accounting and financial expertise of its members and contribute to the growth of the Kuwait economy by increasing productivity and bridging the skill gaps for accounting professionals in the country.