For a change, they were not writing on the blackboard. They were tapping their feet, clapping, swaying and some, dancing. For the teachers gathered at The Music Academy here on Thursday, it was an evening of fun and nostalgia.
Organised as part of The Hindu Newspaper in Education (NIE) initiative, the musical show ‘To teachers with love', was presented by Dhwani, a quartet of singers from Kolkata.
The group of singers, Navin Daga, Sarita Chandak, V. Sriram and Priyanka Mukherjee presented an interesting list of songs – from different genre and in different languages.
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In the first segment, they presented pairs of western numbers and Indian songs that seem to have been inspired by them. Stevie Wonder's ‘I just called to say I love you' and ‘Aate jaate..' from Maine Pyar Kiya came as a pleasant surprise.
When the Hindi superhit number ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye' was performed, the teachers started humming along instantly. This was paired with Jim Reeves' ‘My lips are sealed'.
Following these, the artists presented a ‘Then and now section', comparing Hindi songs from different eras. Relevant visuals were screened on stage, transporting teachers to their younger days. In fact, the audience, with more women than men, waved and clapped excitedly every time, a Rajesh Khanna or a Kishore Kumar came on screen. The last section was a medley of Ilayaraja hits.
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Teachers said the event came as a ‘Teachers' Day' present and made them forget their routine and stress.
The title sponsor for the event was Linc Pens, associate sponsor Shriram Chits, snack partner Grand Sweets and Snacks, H2O partner Sabol Packaged Drinking Water, F&B partners Aliva and Kurkure, television partner NDTVHindu and radio partner Radio One.