This chain of thoughts started in the first week of July.
I had visited Podar (my junior and degree college) after a long time. I was simply without words when I entered the auditorium, especially when I saw the locked doors of the green rooms… I couldn’t help but just stand still and stare at them... I could actually see the images of my college friends moving around here n’ there as if it were some nostalgic scene from some film...
Those were definitely one of the fun times of my college days. As soon as the academic year would gather some momentum, the auditions and successive practices for the youth fest used to start. Of course, initially as a junior, I myself went through this process (I played harmonium for the music events) and as a senior, I was happy to conduct this process along with some other seniors and music experts. (Well, during my last 1-2 years, it was a pretty funny and grown-up kind of feeling, when the fresh participants would actually look up to me for guidance!)
Soon the regular practices would begin. It was really an experience not to be missed! Internal quarrels, girls getting sentimental, boys behaving rude, long and grueling rehearsals, the nice feeling of seeing ourselves getting better at the song over the few weeks, those after-practice hang-outs at local restaurants, discussing interesting “insider stories” about various other “personalities” in the festival circle, and then again getting up early next day to show your face for practice… boy, that was fantastic!
The elimination rounds were not a cakewalk at all, but the real challenge was the finals at the University Club House, where there was much tighter competition.
And today I visited the same event at the same place after about 2-3 years, merely as an ex-podarite. (Sadly this year Podar did not get a rank in the first 3.) I must admit that these 5-6 hours that I spent there were totally surreal. Although the performers on stage were absolute strangers to me, I could see the faces of our own Podar singers and could imagine myself sitting on stage, playing the harmonium. (Well, there was no need to imagine Vijay Jadhav accompanying us, because – as amazing as it is – he was actually still out there accompanying many colleges as a professional artist.)
While I was at it, I remembered those last minute rehearsals at the small room next to the backdoor of the stage. I remembered those last minute encouragements from Kaustubh, Sagar, Mr. Hande. Of course, Vijay was always there for moral support. Once our number was announced, we would hurriedly climb up the tiny stairs and enter the stage. Everyone would be tense, but still tried their best not to show it on their faces. Soon singers would test their mikes, and so would I and Vijay for harmonium and percussions respectively. Once everybody would be ready, Aparna Shekhar would give the timing and the song would begin.
During the years when I performed, the song happened to go pretty well and we would come out of the audi from the other door. Phew!! Now every singer from the team used to feel relaxed and could get back in the audi to listen to other group songs. Of course, now that the pressure would be off, we wouldn’t mind giving our “expert opinions” about others’ performances! :)
It used to take quite some time to finish all the performances, but we enjoyed it along with many other Podarites who used to come all the way there just to support us. But once it got over, Save sir used to announce the results in his usual witty manner, for e.g., making some extremely boring & routine announcement just before announcing the winner, thereby stretching the curiosity of every single person present down to the last nerve.
We may be dada in our zone, but in the finals there was cut-throat competition with the other heavy-weights such as Mithibai, Ruia, Ruparel, Sathe and many other colleges. Some times we emerged on top, some times we did not. But one thing was sure; Podar Indian Group Song team was always one of *the* teams to beat, I would even like to take the liberty of saying – a force to reckon with. And even though not a singer in the team, I am very proud of the fact that I too had contributed something towards keeping it that way.
The actual college days may have been over. My fellow podarites may be busy in their own individual lives by now. But I am sure that all these youth fest emotions, excitements, joys, sorrows, celebrations, consolations will always be treasured deep down our hearts and will be cherished as sweet memories of our fun days together.
Can’t help saying the evergreen line one more time:
“Aata kasa vattay…??? Bara bara vattay!!!”
Dedicated to Neha, Sanjivani, Aparna, Kaustubh, Vijay, Sagar, Hiral, Sloka, Wadi, Cally, Pushkar, Sandeep and many many many more…
