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Kailash Mehra makes Australia Nostalgic
Melbourne Australia March 10, 2013 |
ailash Mehra is a house hold name in Kashmir. During my student days I had been a big fan of Kailash Mehra. I always use to wait for the time when Radio Kashmir will play her lovely songs. Even after I settled in Australia on my every visit to India I always use to look for her CDs and new releases to keep updated my collection of her songs. Every morning Bhajans sung by her are played in our household.
To see her in person and attend her concert was always a distinct dream for me. Just in the month of Dec 2011 a good friend of mine Mr Suneel Raina a Kashmiri activist on Kashmir in Melbourne informed me that Kailash Mehra is performing in Melbourne on Mar 10 2012. A distinct dream which I could never imagine is coming true. First I thought that my friend is playing a joke on me, but when I heard from Mr Vinod Pandita Ex president Kashmiri Pandit's Cultural Association, Melbourne and Anjali Razdan present president (KPCA) I was over whelmed. I was just counting the days and each day was like a long time, to see her and hear her live. Many of my non Kashmiri friends were thinking why I am travelling 700 kms (Canberra Melbourne distance) to listen her, when I told them I am going to Melbourne to attend her concert, because they didn't have an idea what status she has achieved in Jammu and Kashmir. As the day approached, we left on 9th March 2012 for Melbourne. A long straight road was getting like longer and longer because of my yearning for Kailash Mehra. Finally Geeta and I reached Mr Raina's residence at about 6 pm, for me a biggest surprise unfolded that we were invited by Anjali and Rakhil Razdan at their place where Kailash Mehra was staying. After having dinner both of us were keen to be at Rakhil's place. Rakhil and Anjali were on their doors to greet us in a typical Kashmiri style with a big hug. In their drawing room I was spell bound when I saw Kailash Mehra interacting with members of the community. An artist whom I heard and admired for 25 years was in front of my eyes. I just felt like as if I was on 7th heaven. She interacted with everyone in a very casual way with big divine smile on her face. With little courage we were able to go in front of her and showed our gratitude. In the conversation I was able to tell her about the songs which I like. She was so kind that she sang couple of lines from the song " Sahibo sath cham chani". What I found in my conversation with Kailash ji that she is such a humble and down to earth person, being an artist of her calibre. At Anjali's place every one (locals) were busy in discussions about organising the event, that was good for us that we got some quality time to spend with Kailash ji. We arrived back at Raina's residence at 12.30am. Even after long day's drive I was not able to sleep, because of my excitement after meeting KAILASH MEHRA for the first time in person and having good chat with her. We were anxiously waiting for the next day to hear her singing in person. Next day Concert opened at 6pm in Ajani Centre, Templestowe Melbourne. Kailash Mehra entered the hall where she was greeted by Mr Pandita and Amitabh Mattoo . She opened the concert with a Ganesha Bhajan (as it is considered auspicious in Hindu culture) and then after that she started singing Kashmiri songs. Each and every one from Kashmir old or young was spell bounded with her singing. It was colourful and pleasant entertainment sees the photos attached. Kailash Mehra entertained the old and young with her bubbly nos. We all sang with her couple of times. Young generation who were born here were not familiar with her songs for them 3-8 years she sang "oks Buks" everyone in the hall was falling in love with her songs and her charismatic presence. When she started singing her famous song " Dimyo Dila" some ladies and Gents could not resist got up and did Rauf. What a thrilling performance it was. Some Kashmiri rituals were also performed. All the ladies were given Salt and Athour, which is very traditional of Kashmiri hindu culture (please see photo). I do not have the words to describe it. The evening got pleasant also because Kashmiri community in Victoria put all their efforts in decorating the venue and organising the sumptuous traditional kashmiri dinner. Stage was decorated very aesthetically with marigold flowers and decorative diyas. This was a big success because of fact Kailash Mehra's presence and efforts of all kashmiris of Victoria put their heart and soul together to make it a success. A nonstop singing for 6 hour which finished at 12.30. My only complaint at the end was that time flew very fast. |
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