The evening was one of the memorable evenings of my life. The show enthralled me. The singers-Suprriya, Sarvesh and Anand Bahal were wonderful. They were perfect and melodious. Best performance of the show was --Nani teri morani ko mor le gaye--by charming Baby Anushka Banerjee. Ajit Bachhawat
I do not remember to have attended a better programme in a very very long time. I was bowled over and totally overwhelmed. To start with, the presentation in the form of drawing room discussion was a novel idea. It is not easy to cover almost every facet of Kaviraaj Shailendra ji's life and work in a span of only 2 and a half hours. It was just about adequate, neither short nor long. It goes to show how well researched and deeply thought of the programme was. Next, all the anchors, yourself included, were not only excellent in presenting the facts in the form of anecdotes, but I found you all were great singers too. The singers in front stage were awesome in not only rendition of the selected songs but were too good in enactment of the essence of the songs as depicted in the film sequence. A case in point would be the Chori Chori song involving the puppets. All the singers including the small little girl singing the Nani song were in a very cheerful and emotive disposition casting a very positive vibe on the audience. The background score by Hyder Ali was excellent and true to the originals which helped the singers to give their best. The work of Kaviraaj in specific films like Guide and Teesri Kasam which were presented as different episodes did bring out the historical significance of his life and works. They were essential aspects of Shailendraji's life and needed special mention. The selected audio-visuals were brilliant. Actually I am falling short of words to praise Ibaadat's sincere efforts to take us back to those nostalgic years of my youth when Hindi Film Songs were a craze and when we used to wait with baited breath for the release of the next film and it's songs to critically analyse them. Today I can once again confirm my eagerness to attend to your next venture with the same keenness as in my days of youth. My sincere and heartfelt thanks to take me back in time. Indrajit Banerji
Thank you very much for an evening of soul stirring music, I really enjoyed ever moment ,especially the facts about him, Being a communist at heart ,singing for Raj Kapoor for 500 rupees and the relevance to present day society and the politicians. It was a magnificent programme, kudos to you. Sunita Banka
I must admit it was excellent and both Prithvi and Sangeeta made it very lively. The presence of Shri Dinesh and his narration of his experiences with his father helped us understand the man better. Overall, it was a delightful evening. Thank you once again for such a program and providing us, music and literature lovers, the opportunity to know more about the poets. Snehomoy Bhattacharya, Retd. Executive Director (Corporate Affairs), Axis Bank Ltd.
I must compliment you and your team for putting up such a well researched and brilliant show! It was very well presented, like it is always done in any of your presentations. Finally, I must say that all your singers are par excellence, especially Suprriya. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and could relate to the passion with which all of you have put it up. Also, getting Bablu Shailendraji to be a part of it was surely a unique element to the program, and hearing all the little anecdotes was a privilege for us all. I heartily congratulate you for this lovely show and look forward to many more in future as well.Rohit Bihani, Trustee, Mount Litera Zee School
Thanks to you and your team for putting up such a wonderful show. We and the friends I had invited really enjoyed every moment of the performance. Subir Bose, Director, Berger Paints India Ltd.
Extremely enriched by the excellent and thoroughly professional presentation. Whole of India should have the privilege to see such a brilliant show on a legend of our time, request explore an adaptation for a TV show. Heartiest congratulations and looking forward to future Ibaadat shows in Kolkata. Bindu and Sudhir Bowry, Retd. Director, Duncans
This was an outstanding program. Congratulations for organizing the same.
B.L.Chandak, Executive Director, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group
The programme was very entertaining, nostalgic and moving. Really enjoyed the show. The informal style of presentation and the nuances of Shailendra's lyrics coupled with personal anecdotes created an intimate moment with the writer which was very touching at times. Please come again with another show soon! Bharati Chowdhury
The program was a beautiful affair, and we really enjoyed it and carry back fond memories of the same. The venue and setting in general too were admirable. Ashwini Damani (G.D.Damani), Damani Printing Press
God bless you ALL!!!
Gyan Dutt Gautama
The show was outstanding. The music, the chat and presentation. The information on Shailendra, the singers, how can you manage such a perfection. Very nice. Prabhat Jhawar
All I call tell you is that it was a wonderful show and we really enjoyed every moment of the show. Amit Jhunjhunwala, AP Fashions
Another great show, after being mesmerized by your earlier presentation on Majrooh? This time, I took my father along, as he is a big Raj Kapoor fan…….more than anything else, the way he became nostalgic made my day. Looking forward to more such gems and 3 cheers to your dedicated efforts ! It proves that passion leads to excellence.Anand Kumar Jhunjhunwala, Lead Partner, Haribhakti & Co.
It was indeed a fabulous show...never felt like getting up only...All thanks to you for giving me this opportunity to be connected with music. All the very best for all your endeavour. Archana Jhunjhunwala
I wish to place on record my deep appreciation for a wonderful program. The presentation, the presenters, the singers and the performers were simply wonderful me and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the program. V.D.Jhunjhunwala
It was very fantastic. I congratulate your whole team. Kusum Kajaria
I think the recitations and singing was great. Nandini Khaitan, Advocate, Khaitan & Co.
Many thanks for a remarkable programme. I and my wife Sunanda thoroughly enjoyed it. The effort put in by everyone is praiseworthy specially the singers. Alok Maheshwary
Revisiting some of the most melodious songs of yesteryear along with so many different facets of Kaviraaj Shailendra, was a truly enriching experience. I once again thank you for giving me an opportunity to be a part of such a beautiful journey. Rajiv Mittal, Regional Head, Housing Development Finance Corp.Ltd.
Ibaadat continues its wonderful journey enriching our lives.I am a music buff but never really appreciated the "kavis" and the work they put in. My focus was always on the songs and the singers. It was only on attending your Kaviraj Shailendra event that I realised what is owed the song writer; an immeasurable debt of gratitude that can't really be described. The magic weaved with Awara Hoon, Khoya Khoya Chand, not to forget Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Yeh…I can go on and on, Shailendra’s list of gems is endless! Many thanks for your kind invitation and am truly grateful. A BIG God bless and prayers for the Ibaadat team and your continued success.
Manoj Mohanka, Chairman, Network 18Online
Found it very good. Vijay Swarup Mundra
The program on Shailendra was also fantastic. You are rendering yeoman service in protecting our Amanat in a very interesting way. Vivek Mundra, Director, Jet Age Securities Pvt.Ltd.
It was a wonderful show. We loved it. Neerja Nopany
The event was very informative, useful and entertaining. I can imagine the extent of research that has gone in making such events and the excellent singing talent exhibited. Hearty congratulations for creating such great events and wishing you all the best in all your future endeavours. Naresh Pachisia, Managing Director, SKP Securities Ltd.
7th April 2014 was a day to remember when Ibaadat presented a musical drama celebrating the Life, Songs and Poetry of the Greatest Hindi Lyricist Shailendra ji at Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Kolkata. All along the programme I felt like watching a memorable film with very tight script with fast editing and immortal music. Thanks to team of Prithvi Haldea (Chairman), the person responsible for Research, Script and Screenplay alongwith sharing its direction and production work with Naveen Anand and Sangeeta Bedi who took part in conversation with Dinesh Shankar Shailendra (youngest son of Shailendra ji). The programme started with a short intro followed by 'Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai' which was the perfect choice to start any programme in memory of Shailendra and/or SJ. However, here the stress was on Shailendraji, but as natural SJ's compositions took a large share of the songs. But whatever songs this team picked to showcase the lyricist's association with several other music directors other than SJ shows how much thoughts they gave in to select them. Each one of them were diamonds. Few of them are, "Poochho na Kaise Maine", "Tere Mere Sapne Ab ek rang hain" "Ab ke baras bhej bhaiyya ko" (all SDB), 'Ghar aaja ghir aaye (RD) and Jhoomti Chali Hawa (SNT). Singers Anand Bahal, Suprriya Joshii, Sarvesh Mishra, Naveen Anand, Anushka Banerjee and Priyanka Mitra did full justice to the songs which were assigned to them. I was much impressed by Priyanka's flawless singing. Suprriya Joshii was at her peak in Ab ke Baras Bhej and Ghar aajaa ghir aaye, but she took the stage on fire in, "Azeeb Daastan hai ye" the whole audience enjoyed this song too much. Thanks to music track by Haider Ali. it was just supperbb.....Sarvesh Mishra's Tere Mere Sapne ab ek rang hain was the nicest from him. Anand Bahal is known to be voice of Mukesh, but in his previous programme on Majrooh and in this programme, I found him fantastic whenever he croons Kishore Kumar songs. He was more than superb in Nakhre Waali (film New Delhi) though he did full justice to Jhoomti chali hawaa. The most important thing was an authentic information in connection with creation of the song, "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke" in contrary to general belief that it was Jaikishanji who was frequently looking back while the group of SJSH and Dattaram was travelling in a car and Dattaram's own claim that not Jaikishen ji but it was he the person and the mukhda was written by Shailendra ji, the programme confirmed that the person who was looking back frequently, happened to be Shankerji. I was taken aback by this information and met Prithvi ji to convey my concern on this information, but he said that the information he got from family members of Shailendra ji confirms that it was none other than Shankerji. When I met with Dinesh Shanker Shailendra, I wanted to know about the accuracy of the information and he said that he had talked with certain people and actors and they all confirmed that Shankerji was the person. During making of Teesri Kasam, Shailendraji had gone through so much pain and had gone through betrayal by some close friends, that is why this period was not talked too much. There were no loopholes in the programme and it was a memorable evening. Hats Off to the team including singers and musicians. Sudarshan Pandey, Press Information Bureau-Govt.of India
The show has been made with great passion and definately the singers were exceptionally good. 2 more things that were very good highlights - 1) Solo dance in 'Piya tose' and the Nani teri song sung by the child artist. It’s a pleasure to be associated with you and wish you a long and passionate musical journey. Vivek Phumra
The show organised by you highlighting Kaviraaj Shailendra’s contribution to hindi music and poetry was spell binding indeed. The program design and its presentation was a true “Ibaadat” to the legend of lyrics. It made me nostalgic and I thoroughly enjoyed those evergreen songs written by Kaviraaj Shailendra. Your are doing a great job to revive the memories of forgotten legends. Sudama Ram, Managing Director & CEO, Peerless Financial Services Ltd.
It was grand. Damroo Dhar Rawat, Director, Rajat International
Ibaadat ne deewana bana dala hai
Shailendra ka parwana bana dala hai
Ek naye daur aur andaaz ke saath
Bhuli yaadon ko phir se jaga dala hai
Pradeep Rawat, Chairman, Rawatsons Engineers Pvt. Ltd.
I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. The way the event was conceived and executed was excellent. This is also a good way of remembering the idols who have contributed to the film industry and also to the literary world. B.Madhav Reddy, Managing Director & CEO, Calcutta Stock Exchange Ltd.
You actually gifted us an wonderful evening of poetry, music and dance centred around a genius called Kaviraj Shailendra, which was intricately and deftly woven into a fabric of joy by your inimitable compering throughout ! Many of the contemporary history and anecdotes around Shri Shailendra were unknown to many of us and it would have remained so, had you not brought the same to the notice many of his admirers around the country and, may be, the world. It is truly a great job to do an in-depth research on the colourful personality of Shri Shailendra and to bring it back to life with true love and dedication. It would not be enough just to say that the programme was 'excellent' , it was indeed superb and you have beaten your own records of holding excellent performances in the past. Your singers, the ladies and the gentlemen, rendered wonderful songs in their melodious voices which did a cast a hypnotic spell on the audience of that evening. Prabal Sen, Retd. Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India
Excellent show (as usual)! Thoroughly professional as well as enjoyable presentation!Sanjay Sen
It was another great evening from Ibaadat....An experience of a lifetime we felt carried away in a live journey of Kaviraaj Shailendra .....
शैलेन्द्र कविराज की रहेगी निशानियाँ
कद्रदानों के लिये अमर है कहानियां
शाम आज की हसीन हर कोईं कहेँगा
अगली इबादत का इन्तजार रहेगा। ....
Tarun Sethia, Proprietor, Tarun Sethia Securities
Excellent program, enjoyed thoroughly. Only observation- "Kindly invite to all future program irrespective of location and date." Mahesh Shah, Chairman, Inter Corporate Financiers & Consultants Ltd.
It was a pleasure to attend your Ibaadat show on Kaviraj Shailendra. Have never ever experienced something like this before. All the shows that I have been to before this have been very structured and formal. To create such an informal yet mesmerizing event really takes a lot of effort, and I really appreciated it. Your singers as well as the entire host team were too good. Was glued to my seat the entire show. Sonia Shah
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to attend such a wonderful show. This is the first time I was watching something like this and thoroughly enjoyed. Sheela Mehta Sinha, ICRA Ltd.
After attending your last year's show, it was just out of question and impossible for us to miss the Ibaadat show 'Kaviraaj Shailendra'. I can only say that the show was just fantastic & divine & two hours (without break) were over so fast that we wanted some more of it. We are grateful to the full team of Ibadaat for giving us a chance to enjoy the musical fantasy. Kishan Todi, Managing Director, India Forgings & Engineering Co.Pvt.Ltd.