Venga-bored

By an ex-'Venga-babe'

"We like to party. We like, we like to party," (emphasis on the words the way the Vengaboys say it). Oh sure, who doesn't and it seems 15,000 people thought the same way I did when they thronged the CR and FC on March 9 for the much awaited Vengaboys Concert.

Having bought a Rs.500 ticket which stated the show starts at 7.30, I was there by 7 p.m. And having found a vantage point some distance away from the stage I stood all ready for a 'sha la la la la' time.

But, the show failed to start on time. A good half an hour later, the magnificent stage was very much empty, the Vengabus still to arrive with the Vengaboys. Some mood-spoiling music was being played over the sound system. If it was intended to keep the crowd going, it failed miserably. The hyped-up concert was beginning to look like a carnival ground with people sitting on the grass having their own little picnics. 8.30 p.m. and the show finally got off - NOT with the Vengaboys though.

We were told Ginger was going to sing. Ahem...sing she did and after two songs the applause rang more with relief than appreciation. Once again anticipation that it was going to be the Vengaboys was dashed when - Natasha appeared on stage. A few songs and suddenly the stage took on the guise of a ramp when two models materialised-don't ask me 'why?'

I looked around and everyone seemed as impatient and put-off as I was. I joined the rather loud 'we want Vengaboys' chorus which kept gathering momentum - me adding my share through clenched teeth. But to no avail. Instead of the Vengaboys the announcers came on stage and announced yet another gig by some local dance troupe, this time the MIB. A dance act which to say the least left the audience, frustrated. A section of the crowd shouting 'gemba boys', saw their 'act' coming to an end real soon.

Bathiya and Santhush came at a point when most in the audience were swearing or simply leaving. (Vengaboys who?) Thankfully these guys with all their exuberance and youthful vigour managed to salvage most people's sagging spirits. Suddenly arms were waving and people were cheering and clapping.

9.30 p.m. and the announcers were back on stage. If they told us the show was over I wouldn't have been a tad surprised. I remember hearing "Vengaboys" and the foursome finally showing up. Thereafter it was song after song and loads of dancing for almost an hour. But it had been a long wait and all their "this audience is the best audience in the whole world" did nothing to make the wait worthwhile.

The concert over, my memories are endless- my aching back (I wouldn't have minded if it had been due to me trying out a gyrating Venga move but not from simply standing still), the man next to me polluting the air with endless yawns, getting almost killed trying to leave the concert through one of the gates I think practically everyone was heading towards. So like a colleague, who had had just about enough of the wait, I wish I had left earlier. No, I wish I had never gone.

The Hari-conditioned beat

By R. Kandasamy

Harini joined him in 'Sinna Vennilawe' from the film Poomagal Oorwalam, Incidentally, this was her first visit to Sri Lanka.

It was very hard to keep the audience in their seats when Hariharan and Mahaluckshmi came out with 'Oru ponnu onnu naan pathen'.

The pin-drop silence in the audience broke into roaring applause as Hariharan launched into his first number 'Pachchai nirame, pachchai nirame..', of Alaipayuthe fame.

Hariharan's ensemble included Harini and Mahalukshmi and this was a further treat to Sri Lankan music lovers. This was Hariharan's second visit to Sri Lanka. His last visit here was as a member of the Colonial Cousins, four years ago.

This once in a blue moon musical extravaganza opened with the EAP Group's chairperson Mrs. Soma Edirisinghe and Indian High Commissioner Gopalakrishnan Gandhi lighting the traditional oil lamp.

The golden voice of India, Hariharan was here and thousands of fans crammed into the stadium to hear him 'live'.

There was indeed something in the air on Saturday night. The Sugathadasa indoor stadium was filled to capacity to witness this 'gripping' musical experience - Hariharan in concert.

The show took a new turn when renowned 'drum maestro' Sivamani showed his skills, sending the pulse rate of the audience soaring, like a malaria patient's fever chart. The 15-minute interlude was indeed a treat to watch.

Midway through the show, Swarna Oli conferred upon Hariharan the prestigious Swarna Kuralo award and the traditional ponnadai.

Bringing back nostalgic memories, Hariharan gave us his first Tamil film song 'Neengatha Oru Weenai', which he had sung under Illayaraja's baton.

Shuffling between sweet romantic numbers to the fast ones Hariharan took the stadium by storm. The air-conditioned indoor stadium was virtually 'Hari-conditioned' throughout the three and a half hour musical feast.

Fittingly the show ended with Hariharan singing 'Uyire.. Uyire..', soothing the frayed nerves of the young and old alike. The song created by enigmatic tunesmith A.R. Rahman and so delicately sung by Hariharan was memorable. You could really hear 'Life' in that song.

All good things must come to an end. And so, the golden show of Hariharan too came to an end, but his wonderful melodies will stay with us for a long time.

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