BITS Pilani Alumni 74-79 Batch Beat COVID Doom with a Music Nite on Zoom

Institution of Excellence in India today Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani (74-79) Classmates had their "First Global Virtual Music Nite" on 31-January-2021, Sunday (7 PM to 9 Pm India Time). This was a grand success with a total of 60 passion packed Classmates who met over Zoom. They represented several Countries across various latitudes and longitudes spread over several Continents. BITS had been in news recently for announcing the setting up of INR 1500 Crores BITSoM B School at Mumbai.

Promoter of StocksBazaar (Experts in Multiplying your Investments), SEBI registered Investment Adviser E H Research, Proprietor Akhilesh Jain of this batch holds BE(Hons) from BITS Pilani and PGDIE from NITIE Mumbai, with 30+ years of experience in spotting the growth power houses at early stages. Fed up of the political discussion and Americam economy in the Whatsapp group of the batch, he ushered in a new whatsapp group on 01 Mar 2020 and titled it BITS74 Melody and No Politics.

This opened up a nonstop flow of batchmates clearing their throats and tuning their musical tools. Following the success of the Passion Peaking BITS Pilani Alumni 74-79 Batch Gala Global Reunion on Zoom on 24 Jan 2021, a global music nite was scheduled for 31 Jan 2021 spear headed by Moif Sanjeev Narayan Das Mohapatra, Sanjeev Punj etal. Uncle Tom Unca CM Ramesh Goa warmed up the proceedings with Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki (Film Dulari singer Mohammed Rafi, then folloed it up with Shama Hai Suhana Suhana (Film Ghar Ghar ki Kahani singer Kishore Kumar) and topped it with Pukarta Chala Hoon Main (Film Mere Sanam singer Rafi).

Moif gave a grand start on his accordion with all time great romantic song Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kaha Ho Tum (Film Patita • Singer(s) Hemant Kumar, Lata) and later came up with Doris Day Que Sera Sera and reiterated the famous quote whatever will be, will be …!! Mihir Baruah Guwahati sang Kahin karti hogi woh mera intezar (Film Phir Kab Milogi singer Mukesh) and came up later with soul strirring song Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Tum Rahe Na Tum, Hum Rahe Na Hum from the immortal film Kaagaz Ke Phool

Hari Patel from USA had the batchmates eating out of his hands with the song Chingari Koi Bhadke film Amar Prem singer Kishore Kumar) and later did a duet with his wife Darshana the song Tum Aa Gaye Ho. Noor Aa Gaya Hai (Film Aandhi Singers Kishore and Lata). Namdev Kharkane from Pune mesmerized with Pag Ghungroo Bandh Meera Nachi Thi (Film Namak Halaal Singer Kishore Kumar) and Duniya Bananewale (Film Tessri Kasam Singer Mukesh).

Siva Koorapati from USA elevated all batchmates up above the ground level by playing on harmonica the all time great song Hotel California and later came up on his keyboard with yet another unforgettable song Kehna Hai Kehna Hai (Film Padosan Singer Kishore Kumar). Srini Kulkarni from Pune immersed the batchmates with his song Apni To Har Aah Ek Tufan Hai (Film Kala Bazar Singer Mohammed Rafi and lifted them up with Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya (Film Hum Dono Singer Mohammed Rafi).

Udayan Dravid from Gurgaon is not a batsman from cricketing point of view but hit all the batchmates to boundary with his songs Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye (Film Anand Singer Mukesh) and Kisi ki muskurahaton pe ho nisaar …. Jeena isi ka naam hai (Film Anari Singer Mukesh). Sharad Gupta from USA blew batchmates apart with his first song Lehro Pe Lehar Ulfat Hai Jawan (Singer Hemant Kumar, Movie Chhabili) and later with the romantic song "Kuchh Na Kaho" from the film 1942: A Love Story (singer Kumar Sanu) and made everyone feel as if it was 1974 A Love Story.

All batchmates knew Rajib Lochan Kalita form Guwahati as ace cricketer and deadly bowler for the famous Dirty Dozen cricket team of BITS Pilani. Hence it was no surprise that he bowled all batchmates with his rendition of the songs Maa from the movie Taare Zameen Par (singer Shankar Mahadevan) which is one of the most memorable and heart-warming Bollywood songs dedicated to mother and the song Tujhse naraz nahi zindagi Hairaan hoon main from the Film Masoom originally sung by Anup Ghoshal considered one of the foremost Nazrulgeeti exponents.

Everyone expected Ram Gulwady who was looking quiet like the Elvis Presley of India Shammi Kapoor in old age from Mumbai to come up with Deep Purple or Jethro Tull song but he surprised everyone with his song Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meharbaan … Jaaneman jaanejaan from the Film Teesri Manzil (singer Mohammed Rafi) and did a duet with his wife Smriti for the song Raat Ke Humsafar from the film An Evening In Paris. Srini Kulkarni gave a befiiting end to the proceedings with his soulful rendition of the Dil Ek Mandir Film song sung by Mohammed Rafi Yaad Na Jaye Beete Dinon Ki with lyrics rewritten to BITS Pilani student days.

Ace drummer Sanjeev Punj gave a glimpse of his talent and promised to come up with a thundering show soon. Kanak Mal Madrecha from Dubai hosted the show and was anchored superbly by Krishna Rajagopal from Chennai who brought in the video clippings of each and every song. Dean Nattu aka BR Natarajan was in his usual self entertaining the junta with his expert comments. Doors Jim Morrison might have sung When The Music's Over but for this batch music will never be over.

For more details see https://www.bitsaa.org/

Prof BR Natarajan
BITS Pilani Alumnus
C/o Jamuna Mishra Academy – JMA
Pilani, Rajasthan India 333031
Phone: +91-9799476406
Email: brnatarajan@bitsaa.org
Website: https://www.bitsaa.org/

About BITSAA: BITS Alumni Association (BITSAA) has emerged as one of the strongest alumni networks of any university. BITSAA International engages in charitable and educational activities by raising funds for setting up endowments, creating scholarships, rewarding teaching and research and generally promoting the development of resources at Birla Institute of Technology and Science at Pilani, Dubai, Goa & Hyderabad campuses. BITSAA International also aims to strengthen the ties, friendship and communication amongst former students, alumni faculty and friends of the Institute. BITSAA International provides a number of channels for people to stay connected with each other and with Birla Institute of Technology & Science. Notable other alumni initiatives for BITS Pilani include Prof SSR Memorial Teaching Excellence Award, multi crore Pilani AtmaNirbhar Resource Centre PARC by 75-80 batch alumni, Prashant Anuradha Palakurthi Research Endowment and many more. For more on BITSAA see https://www.bitsaa.org/

This release was published on openPR.