People started arriving for the concert
hosted by the Telugu
Cultural Association and slowly the hall was
completely occupied.
Looking absolutely gorgeous our Diva PS appeared in a cream colored
red bordered saree around 2:30 PM and then posed for a few pictures
(posted at yahoo photos: PS
concert at Houston). Film star Laya
was the chief guest for the occasion. PS was accompanied by singers
Jamuna Rani, Surekha Murthy, Vijayalakshmi and also local
male singers, Viswanathan and Sashidar. The audio system was excellent and the orchestra was well chosen – a
job well done by the Telugu Cultural Association members.
The program commenced with the devotional “Madhuramu
Siva mantram” from the movie “Sri
Kalahasthi Mahatyam”.The
next couple of songs were rendered by Ms Surekha Murthy and the
male co-singer.
The song “aha naa pellanta “ from
"Maya Bazaar" (a PS-Ghantasala duet) was rendered by them.
Now it was our Nightingale’s turn to come to the
dais. She bowed reverently towards the audience and commenced
her singing. She started off with the devotional ”Paalakadalipai” from
the movie”ChenchuLakshmi”, which
she rendered so beautifully that the entire audience were engrossed
under her magic spell.There
was complete silence in the crowded hall.
She then joked stating“I am becoming old” and
the mike is asking me”Is it true?”.
She mildly chided the Association by saying that someone had spread a rumour
that PS had an heart attack and so she had left to India( the Association
President denied it ). She said she was in her perfect health and everything
was fine with
her. There was a thunderous applause from the audience as a response.
The next song from her was the great hit "Jorumeedunavvu
thummedha” from
the Movie”SivaRanjani”. She told the orchestra
guys “This
has become a fast world and so was your music for this song”. She
asked them to stop and she rendered a few lines of the song and said
the tempo should
be very slow for this song. The orchestra people nodded in appreciation.
Then came a lovely duet ”Thelisindile
thelisindhile” from
Movie “Ramudu
Bheemudu” which was rendered easily with a high octave
humming. The
next two songs ”Maama Maama” from
the Movie “Manchi
Manasulu” and “Sarada
sarada cigarettu” from the Movie ”Velugu
Needalu” were
sung by Singer Jamuna Rani. It was followed by a rare number “Kannulalone
khaidhu chesitini”(Movie?)
by PS. A Great song for classic songs collectors.
Then it was time for another excellent duet “Ohalu
gussagussalade” from
the Movie ”Bandipotu”.PS started off
on a lower note but later picked the tempo making the duet memorable. She
also rendered the classic song “Yemani
Paadethano” from
"Bharya bharthalu".
It was time for a treat for the audience. PS
along Ms Surekha rendered “Sri
Ramuni charithamunu” from Lava Kusa”.
The audience were again spellbound. After completion of this song,
Surekha( An ardent
S.Janaki fan) prostrated before
PS and took blessings from her. PS then mentioned of
a person named Sarat Chandra who published a few hundred solos(lyrics)
of PS songs in telugu.The books can be
purchased
from Telugu
cultural Association. She finally concluded her singing
with the greatest hit of all times “Himagiri
sogasulu” from the movie “Pandava
vanavasam” She was at her very best in all her songs, voice so sweet and
melodious and appeared as if it was lifted off directly from the
Movie’s original sound track.She touched higher octaves with
ease and perfection. A great and soul stirring performance from
the great singer.
Then came the awards and felicitation ceremony. PS handed over
gift certificates to some children in Houston who excelled in
their overall performances.
Telugu cultural Association President felicitated PS,Jamunarani with a shawl
and gift packets were presented to them. Actress Laya was also felicitated
on this occasion. It was time to leave but my soul craved
for more songs from our melody queen. I took her blessings
along with her autograph before I departed.
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