Bengaluru: It was just any other lazy Saturday with less early morning slow-moving traffic as we approached the basement of a private apartment complex with Suresh Hadagali, a family friend involved with the granite business and also a singer by hobby. The Retro Bollywood Karaoke SUR-MILAN was set to commence in the community hall as regular members started entering one by one.
Unassuming singers: Once, into the hall, almost all senior citizens were found busy greeting, exchanging pleasantries and hugging one another giving the ambience a festive mood. Most of them appeared to be 50+, 60+ and some of them even 70+ and also grandparents. Only on their facial looks you could assert their age but not in their spirits of singing Bollywood hits of yesteryears. Younger folks also participate.
Hits of the early 50s and 60s come alive: Once the program went live, the elders got engrossed in their favourite pastime passion of singing once every 21 days, forgetting their age and stage in life. On the other hand, they became more lively rendering their favourite songs, hitherto unheard of by the present generation. Some of them rejoiced rocking, dancing to the applause of the small gathering of singers of 26 people.
How it started: "It all started from Marasandra on Doddaballapur Road. When I was living in Marasandra in Provident Welworth City (PWC), I conducted a singing program “CELEBRATIONS” with my own money which over 500 people attended. It so happened that many people who could not make it inside had to watch and listen to the program standing outside the hall, through the windows. It was about a five-and-a-half-hour event. This program gave me the idea to go ahead with similar programs as the enthusiasm of the people convinced me", informed Satish Tavag, the brain behind the musical journey.
Karaoke and listening to old music every Saturday: Satish Tavag continues-"This way I started the Karaoke singing program and old songs video watching every Saturday. I had all the necessary types of equipment and a huge collection of old music to ensure the weekly show. It started at the end of 2014 and continued for two and a half years. After that, I came to this apartment, RMV Clusters in 2017 and with a fillip to my passion started the SUR-MILAN program. The first program was on 09 March 2017."
Got singers literally on the road: You may naturally wonder how he suddenly got singers to be part of the Karaoke singing program. Well, that is an amusing experience. Let us hear straight from Satish Tavag-"You may be surprised to know how I managed to get the singers for my program. I was bent upon resuming the Karaoke singing and watching old songs and videos on the present premises. In a way, I had gone mad and used to spring questions to unknown people on the roads, about whether they were interested in singing and listening to old film songs. Some of them were taken aback at the query and that too by a stranger. But I was not perturbed at all by such reactions as I had no ill intentions in giving it a try. This crazy effort did bring in quite a few singers to the program."
15 to 20 people to start with: Satish Tavag says-"We started with 15-20 people here while the information spread from word of mouth and it was the participants who through word of mouth brought in additional participants. At times, we used to have 60 people in attendance. However, the numbers kept oscillating now and then steadied at around 35 to 37 singers, aside from the audience. 40 is the maximum I can take because, at two songs a person, it is a total of 80 songs to be sung. At the rate of 10 songs every hour, the program could stretch for almost 8 hours. In the last 4 SUR-MILAN programs, the numbers have been at 25/30 singers."
I am not here to make money: At the same time, he stated-"But it is okay as being an old man I am not here to make money. I am here to enjoy and make people happy with music. Whoever comes is most welcome. Recently Suresh Hadagali came and we are very happy. He sings so well."
One need not be a professional: On the eligibility for becoming a member, he explained-"They need to be good singers. One does need not to be a professional singer but one should be good at singing, and practice sincerely before singing in SUR-MILAN so that participants will like to keep coming to the program.. For example, if someone sings without proper rhythm tune and scale, it will be difficult to make the program attractive. These are some basic eligibilities I ensure. People singing in a “besur” manner, will be told over e-mail or privately so that they can correct themselves and perform better. Despite trying several times, if it doesn't work, I request them to please come as a part of the audience."
No music background at all: Satish Tavag also clarified-"I haven't learnt any music to start with. I started playing the mouth organ as a boy, then switched over to guitar, and tried to learn by going through books. At the age of 44, I learnt to play the keyboard. God has given me enough energy and some musical sense. Perhaps that's enough as I am not a hundred per cent singer but perhaps I am a 70-80 per cent good singer."
People come to enjoy music: He signed off recalling-"I have done M Sc in Physics and M Tech from The Indian Institute of Sciences. I was in Europe for four and a half years and 12 years in the United States. I was a Vice President for different companies and am now happily retired. Not any more I am any vice president, but one among the lovely people who come to me to enjoy music. Everything happens by GOD’s grace and blessings".
Hits of the early 50s and 60s come alive: Once the program went live, the elders got engrossed in their favourite pastime passion of singing once every 21 days, forgetting their age and stage in life. On the other hand, they became more lively rendering their favourite songs, hitherto unheard of by the present generation. Some of them rejoiced rocking, dancing to the applause of the small gathering of singers of 26 people.
How it started: "It all started from Marasandra on Doddaballapur Road. When I was living in Marasandra in Provident Welworth City (PWC), I conducted a singing program “CELEBRATIONS” with my own money which over 500 people attended. It so happened that many people who could not make it inside had to watch and listen to the program standing outside the hall, through the windows. It was about a five-and-a-half-hour event. This program gave me the idea to go ahead with similar programs as the enthusiasm of the people convinced me", informed Satish Tavag, the brain behind the musical journey.
Karaoke and listening to old music every Saturday: Satish Tavag continues-"This way I started the Karaoke singing program and old songs video watching every Saturday. I had all the necessary types of equipment and a huge collection of old music to ensure the weekly show. It started at the end of 2014 and continued for two and a half years. After that, I came to this apartment, RMV Clusters in 2017 and with a fillip to my passion started the SUR-MILAN program. The first program was on 09 March 2017."
Got singers literally on the road: You may naturally wonder how he suddenly got singers to be part of the Karaoke singing program. Well, that is an amusing experience. Let us hear straight from Satish Tavag-"You may be surprised to know how I managed to get the singers for my program. I was bent upon resuming the Karaoke singing and watching old songs and videos on the present premises. In a way, I had gone mad and used to spring questions to unknown people on the roads, about whether they were interested in singing and listening to old film songs. Some of them were taken aback at the query and that too by a stranger. But I was not perturbed at all by such reactions as I had no ill intentions in giving it a try. This crazy effort did bring in quite a few singers to the program."
15 to 20 people to start with: Satish Tavag says-"We started with 15-20 people here while the information spread from word of mouth and it was the participants who through word of mouth brought in additional participants. At times, we used to have 60 people in attendance. However, the numbers kept oscillating now and then steadied at around 35 to 37 singers, aside from the audience. 40 is the maximum I can take because, at two songs a person, it is a total of 80 songs to be sung. At the rate of 10 songs every hour, the program could stretch for almost 8 hours. In the last 4 SUR-MILAN programs, the numbers have been at 25/30 singers."
Initially free for all: "To start with, I conducted it for free. For a long time, my wife used to cook and make tea for the participating singers. After over a year, starting with Rs 30 per person, later Rs 50, Rs 100, and Rs 200 and now at Rs 300/- per singer, we can't believe that the entire program, with tea, biscuits and lunch is happening at a meagre cost of Rs 300/-. Perhaps anywhere else more than Rs 500-1,300/- is being charged for the same. Now it is more like a family affair. People come here, they greet each other. The moment they come in it is like relatives meeting one another. We are very happy as once they come here, the next four to five hours they forget everything else and enjoy singing as well as listening. New participants are welcomed warmly" recalled Satish Tavag.
I am not here to make money: At the same time, he stated-"But it is okay as being an old man I am not here to make money. I am here to enjoy and make people happy with music. Whoever comes is most welcome. Recently Suresh Hadagali came and we are very happy. He sings so well."
One need not be a professional: On the eligibility for becoming a member, he explained-"They need to be good singers. One does need not to be a professional singer but one should be good at singing, and practice sincerely before singing in SUR-MILAN so that participants will like to keep coming to the program.. For example, if someone sings without proper rhythm tune and scale, it will be difficult to make the program attractive. These are some basic eligibilities I ensure. People singing in a “besur” manner, will be told over e-mail or privately so that they can correct themselves and perform better. Despite trying several times, if it doesn't work, I request them to please come as a part of the audience."
No music background at all: Satish Tavag also clarified-"I haven't learnt any music to start with. I started playing the mouth organ as a boy, then switched over to guitar, and tried to learn by going through books. At the age of 44, I learnt to play the keyboard. God has given me enough energy and some musical sense. Perhaps that's enough as I am not a hundred per cent singer but perhaps I am a 70-80 per cent good singer."
People come to enjoy music: He signed off recalling-"I have done M Sc in Physics and M Tech from The Indian Institute of Sciences. I was in Europe for four and a half years and 12 years in the United States. I was a Vice President for different companies and am now happily retired. Not any more I am any vice president, but one among the lovely people who come to me to enjoy music. Everything happens by GOD’s grace and blessings".
Satish Tavag conducts the following karaoke singing programs:
“SUR-MILAN, Hindi songs Karaoke Singing program in Bangalore”
“SWARA-MILANA, Kannada songs Karaoke singing program in Bangalore”
“ISAI MEDAI, Tamil songs Karaoke singing program, in Bangalore”
SUR-MILAN, Hindi film songs karaoke singing, every 21 days, always on Saturdays, starting at 12:00 noon, lunch at 1:00 PM. Nowadays, apart from old Hindi film songs, more recent songs are allowed especially to cater to the interests of younger singers.
SWARA-MILANA, Kannada film songs karaoke singing, once every 3 to 4 months, always on Saturdays, starting at 2:00 PM.
ISAI MEDAI, Tamil film songs karaoke singing, once every 3 to 4 months, always on Saturdays, starting at 12:00 noon, lunch at 1:00 PM.
He may be contacted on his mobile number 7676872394
SWARA-MILANA, Kannada film songs karaoke singing, once every 3 to 4 months, always on Saturdays, starting at 2:00 PM.
ISAI MEDAI, Tamil film songs karaoke singing, once every 3 to 4 months, always on Saturdays, starting at 12:00 noon, lunch at 1:00 PM.
He may be contacted on his mobile number 7676872394
-Manohar Yadavatti
Very well written article Sir!
ReplyDeleteWe are very thankful to Satish Tavag Sir for providing us this opportunity to sing and interact with a galaxy of very melodious singers!!!
Excellent write-up, brings the spirit of SUR-MILAN! These Karaoke sessions are full of warmth, melody and above all genuine sense of belongingness; all thanks to Satish sir and Nalini ma'am :)
ReplyDeleteWell written article & thankful to Satish Sir & Manohar ji for this privilege.... Loads of Love & Wishes To Both!
ReplyDeletewonderfully put. I think, we should use this link to share with newcomers so that they also learn the history and musical journey of Sur-Milan.
ReplyDeleteNicely written article. Good platform for new singers.
ReplyDelete