A Rare Event
P Susheela Trust bestows the first National Award to S Janaki
The auditorium wore a festive look with the two beaming nightingales
of South Indian Film Music at the welcome arch. The crowds at
the entrance were trying to gain their way through whilst the
drivers were trying to locate a parking slot.
Fortunate that we were, we had the privilege of occupying the
seats reserved for Mrs. P.Susheela's family at a vantage point.
Immortal telugu songs in P Susheela’s mellifluous voice
filed the air. Security had tough time allowing the invitees.
Hall was jam-packed and the sides were filled with standees. A
few minutes later there was a raised voice by a journalist who
was not allowed and the security had no option but to let the
doors open to the human rush in to the auditorium.
Sharp 6.30 pm the Master of Ceremonies commenced her announcement,
showered accolades on P.Susheela and detailed the objectives of
the trust. The curtains rose to show the veterans standing and
bowing to the music lovers. What an honor to the stage with M.Balamurali
Krishna, P.Susheela, P.B.Srinivas, S.Janaki together.
The function started with dignitaries sharing their experiences
and showering praises on P.Susheela, S.Janaki, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and others.
The auspicious moment was a glittering occasion. (Ample coverage
and photos are in the various links cited in Kalai’s mail).
It was heartening to note the magnanimity of our melody queen
in honoring her junior peer. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was emotional and once again
explained the influence and handholding by these two great stalwarts
in his musical life. PBS in his inimitable style rendered a poem
and said joining the last two letters of PS and S.Janaki results “Lucky”
pair. M.Balamurali Krishna said that it was a gesture par excellence on the part
of PS and said he would be with her in all such of her endeavours.
T Subbirami Reddy, MP, an ardent music lover and fan of P.Susheela
and S.Janaki said nowadays P.Susheela has started excelling in the field
of speaking as well. He described them as ageless. ANR said P.Susheela
was a daughter of their family. For Jamuna since her second film
it was P.Susheela who did the playback and there was no opportunity
to display her singing talent. Saradha, a good friend of S.Janaki wanted
to be reborn as her friend and recalled their long association.
S.Janaki expressed her gratitude and that having made the boni(start)
with the first P.Susheela award, she expects many more awards
to come. The silent dignatory was Rao Balasaraswathi Devi, who
despite her age was there on the stage throughout the function.
T Raghu the head person was speechless when he described the talents
of P.Susheela who could render songs for a child, middle and old
aged ladies in one movie i.e Badipanthulu; S.Janaki who could mimicry
and maintain the sruthi.
As the MOC (Master of Ceremonies) forgot, Madam P.Susheela herself
announced that she had a number of fans on the net, who wanted
to honour her. Me and Kamala on behalf of Psusheelafans group
presented our great legend PS a beautiful sari, which she accepted
with grace.
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P. Sailaja and Kalpana rendered award-winning
songs of P.Susheela and S.Janaki. When the audience wanted to
start off with a Telugu number, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam was annoyed
and said music has no language and that the mother tongue of all
the musicians was only Music and not telugu or any other language.
It was a great rendition by the team and the highlight was S.P.
Balasubrahmanyam rendering the songs of P.Susheela. It was the
first time I heard P.Susheela songs by a male. P.Susheela was
moved and blessed S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and honored him with a
golden bracelet.
The show ended with the trio rendering the famous P.Susheela
- S.Janaki telugu song which states there is none to equal the
two saraswathis.
A great show by Sanjay Kishore of Sangam Academy in organizing
this rare event. |
