Any retro music concert brings with it a rush of nostalgia — the magic of melody, the golden era of films, and more. How wonderful then, to give this tried-and-tested format a twist, and feature a conversation with the stars that complements the music being played. That’s exactly what MAAM Entertainment’s ‘The Rendezvous, Chennai’, to be held on March 13, promises.
Sharing the stage will be the legendary Helen and Sharmila Tagore, known for their dancing prowess and nuanced acting, respectively, and engaging them in conversation will be the erudite Kabir Bedi, whose Sandokan is still entrenched in public minds.
The warm banter on stage will be peppered with music by Surojit Guha, Kishore Sodha and a host of SAREGAMA singers from Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai.
The best part? Some of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Loyola College Rain Relief and Rehabilitation Services.
This is clearly a case of music that heals, and hopes to help a city brought to its knees in December.
Excerpts from interviews with Helen, Kabir Bedi and Sharmila Tagore:
Helen
This is a first for me, and I’m very happy to be part of such an initiative. It’s important to work with people you share a comfort level with, and I found that in the group organising this. Kabir Bedi is a lovely conversationalist, and Sharmilaji has been part of great movies. I think it will be a very ‘interesting’ session, but I would not want to reveal more and spoil any surprises. I would like to make the best of this opportunity. It helps that there is a cause that will benefit too. That makes it all the more worthwhile.
Kabir Bedi
It is a huge honour to be able to share the stage with icons such as Helen and Sharmila Tagore. They are legends, and it took an enormous amount of work for them to get there. People would love to know more about them, and I wish to make them comfortable enough to do that. Live shows are all about moments that surprise you, and I hope this one’s like that too.
A conversation is not just about what is spoken aloud. It is also about gestures, silences, laughter… all these elevate an event to a different level. More than an interviewer, I wish to be their friend on stage, a friend who will draw them into conversation, where they know they are in safe hands.
Personally too, I’m looking forward to the show, as I love the music of that era.
Sharmila Tagore
I’ve done this format before, in Bangalore, with Waheedaji, and it was wonderful. The conversation was warm, the singers from SAREGAMA were wonderful, the audience was so full of love, and there was an amazing energy that enveloped the venue.
The audience for such events are an informed lot, and come drawn by their love for the music. I’ve personally been lucky to enjoy their affection all these years.
I like the interactive format of such concepts. Helenji and I have been around for years, but we come from an era where our lives were not so much in the public eye; this is a good opportunity for people to see us on stage, live and unedited.
I don’t feel intimidated by such live events, because we’ve been in the public eye far too long. I am not on my guard, and I hope to have a great time on stage. I have worked with Kabir before in Anari, and with Helenji in Ek Se Badkar Ek. She’s been part of such beautiful songs, and I’m a huge admirer of hers. I’ve known Kabir personally too, and am looking forward to the evening, and the memorable music it will offer.
Date and Time: March 13 (Sunday), 5.30 p.m.
Venue: Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Harrington Road
Tickets: Priced at Rs. 499, Rs. 750, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 1,500, Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 2,500.
Telephone: Call 4263 4141 and 98401 96887 for details.
