In aid of Cancare Foundation, Chennai, Events Fest is organising a musical show featuring the best songs of composer Ilaiyaraaja and Bollywood’s yesteryear musical superstars such as R.D. Burman, S.D. Burman, O.P. Nayyar and Hemant Kumar, among others. Cancare Foundation is an NGO that offers palliative care to terminally ill cancer patients who are economically disadvantaged.
The Maestro And The Masters concert will see the presence of playback singer Chitra along with music composer Uttam Singh, the chief guest. Singers Surmukhi, Usharaj, Abi Bhagyaraj, Anand Madhavan, Surojit Guhas, among others, will perform at the event. According to the organisers, it will feature “the best from Bollywood and the best of Ilaiyaraaja often heard on the radio and television but rarely performed on stage today”.
Composer Uttam Singh, who has scored music for films such as Dil To Pagal Hai and Pinjar , says, “I thought it was great to have a show that combines the music of the legends of Bombay and the living legend Ilaiyaraaja. I have worked with the former and the latter, and so readily agreed to attend this event. My relationship with Chennai is 30 years old, and I have been coming there for recording sessions regularly. Madras is like home!” Uttam also recollects the time he spent working with Ilaiyaraaja and waxes eloquent on his talent. “I have conducted recordings for him and he is a ‘God-sent’ machine of sorts. That’s the only way I can describe him. If something is manmade it can wear out, but only someone like him can create even now, every day. He has been doing this for 35 years!”
Singer Chitra says, “I will try to sing at least one song composed by Ilaiyaraaja at this event. I too am a huge fan of old Bollywood songs. Lata ji , Asha ji , Rafi saheb and Kishore da continue to be my favourite singers!”
( The Maestro And The Masters will be held on January 24, 6.30 p.m. at the Music Academy)
