Report: Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Deepak Paladka
Dubai, Dec 11: The rhythmic beats of 'Hamsa Naada' reverberated in Dubai as the compilation of meaningful melodious songs enchanted the audience in the jam-packed Centre Point Theatre, Ductac in the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai on Friday December 9. The evening offered a fitting tribute to the renowned south Indian music composer, instrumentalist, lyricist and writer, maestro Dr Hamsalekha in his presence.
Dr Hamsalekha was felicitated and crowned with 'Desi Dorey' in the presence of the cheering audience by the organizer Shiva Kumar. The honours were done by chief guest Padmashree Dr B R Shetty who presented the 'Mysore Peta', shawl, bouquet, memento and felicitation letter. A precious honorable rare maharaja style self-portrait was unveiled and presented as a remembrance to the music maestro.
It was a historic moment as it was the first show of Dr Hamsalekha in the UAE. "This is my first honour outside my own country and I am really blessed to be honoured by my own Kannadigas here in Dubai," he said.
Dr Hamsalekha who is fondly known as 'Naada Brahma' (the Brahma of Music) of Kannada film world Sandalwood, arrived with his team comprising his singer wife Latha Hamsalekha, Chinmai, Manasa Holla, Acharya Mohan Kumar, Ashwini, Harshavardhan, Karthik, Benedict Sampath, Alphons Raj and Abhi along with local singers Shiva Kumar and Deepa Santosh.
It was with a professional touch, the programme opened up introducing the musicians through the live digital display on screen while their introductory live musical beats cheered up the audience. Vidya Shiva Kumar welcomed the audience with her soulful voice and briefed the highlights of the scheduled programme. She then invited the producer/singer husband Shiva Kumar who invoked a devotional song composed from Dr Hamsalekha's film.
Beginning with well-known playback singer Chinmai who gave a good start to the musical evening, all the singers including Manasa Holla rendered melodious songs penned and composed by Dr Hamsalekha one by one and the evening was exclusively dedicated to the great maestro. He later expressed his happiness on stage with the loud applause of the audience, saying that this was a very special programme and that too in this beautiful golden land. He shared some lighter moments of his recent visit to the world’s wonder Burj Khalifa Tower. "Along with all our day-to-day entertainment, it is important to also devote some time towards our native, mother tongue, parents, teachers, elders and the almighty," he said. As his singer wife Latha was singing wonderful melodious songs he was directing the musicians live and simultaneously encouraging her too on stage.
A jugalbandi presentation of one Hindustani raag was really a rare composition enjoyed by the entire audience. Jameel, a big fan of Dr Hamsalekha sang ‘Yaarivalu’ in the presence of his guru on stage and rocked the stage for whom the audience also joined as chorus. Nanjappa another guest singer also sang a beautiful number along with Manasa which was very well applauded. Athira Shiva Kumar an upcoming talent also presented a very melodious number.
Another local singer Deepa Santosh along with Shiva Kumar presented a breathless number loudly cheered by the audience. It was Chinmai’s rocking song made the audience mad and the closing song ‘Huttidare Kannada Naadalli Huttabeku’ which had few onstage changes in the lyrics by the maestro, made the whole audience dance on their heels continuously and craving for more. The whole audience were enjoying every bit of the programme, cheering, clapping and whistling in their own way.
It was ‘Show Stoppers’ Team led by Sarah Sharlet Pinto, who really added spice to the musical evening with their professional dance presentation inspired to the maestros songs with variety of props and attractive colourful costumes giving glitter and glamour to the show. Their excellent performance throughout the show, really deserves a praise worthy mention.
The sponsors of the programme, singers, musicians, technicians, dancers and the media representatives were all honoured with bouquet and mementos by Dr Hamsalekha and Dr B R Shetty. Vinay Kumar Naik as director of the programme was also honoured.
On the whole 'Hamsa Naada' was literally music to the ears, transporting the Kannadigas in the UAE to a different divine musical world for the first time. Indeed, the audience were lucky to be part of the rare 'Hamsa Naada' programme arranged by Shiva Kumar and his team.