SPB50 Malaysia Concert 1st October 2016 Part 1

Hi

My Dear #SPB50 audience the world tour started with our first show on August 14, 2016 at Markham Fair Grounds , Toronto Canada. We were in discussion with many of the countries. In meantime our Malaysia show was finalized with Swaralaya Manivannan spearheading with the support of Dato RA  Kantharao.

Myself and Prakash (a very hardworking, dedicated member of the Team CFW)  both of us landed on 29th September 2016 morning in the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia by Flight no MH 181 and by the time we reached the Seri Pacific Hotel and checked into the rooms it was already  2 pm in the afternoon. We were searching for a place to eat finally found Hyderabad House had biryani and walked back to the hotel. 

The location of the hotel is in the main city Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur and it's exactly opposite Sunway Putra Mall, as you overlook from the hotel lobby you see an overhead bridge  a pedestrian walkway which is beautifully decorated with plants. There are two metro stations near to the hotel PWTC LRT and Putra both are about 3 minutes walk. They both will take you to the middle of the city The mind was already working on something as the team will arrive in the evening by flight no MH 183 between 9-10. 

Prior to the arrival the same evening, we have a Press conference organised by the local promoter to be addressed by SPB and SP Shailaja, they would arrive from the airport earlier than the Musicians. The team was under the able guidance of SP Charan and his better half Aparna Ganti were in the airport supporting the musicians who generally carry a lot of luggage that includes instruments and personal belongings. Next day was the pre-show rehearsals they did not want to mess or miss anything in the Airport.






The Team Arriving in Kuala Lumpur Airport

The Charan taking selfie of the team in the back ground 

The team arrived in the lobby of the hotel there was a lot of chatter the first word when I met them was what is the WIFI password that's it all of them logged in and immediate communication to their loved ones, friends and group with selfies and location was sent " I HOPE". I  had come early had a chat with the hotel and did an early check in, collected the Key-cards for all the rooms, had done allocation as per the list, called the roomie list gave the Key-cards,   all of them then checked into their rooms to their surprise SOUTH INDIAN Meals ready for them this was organised locally from SARAVANA BHAVAN. The fun was of course at its best our team of musicians consisted of seasoned travelers who have been doing shows with SPB for almost 20 years and some were new bees who had their first VISA stamp on the passport.  The excitement was on  for the whole evening some went for a walk, some went back to room to write musical notes for the next day rehearsals.  The team before coming to Kuala lumpur had done rehearsals in Chennai on 27th and 28th September 2016.

The action was all centered in one room  0919 this is  where the CFW team met for everyday planning  and what for the next day.  In the same hotel we had SPB on 26th floor, on 24th floor we had SP Shailaja, Shweta Menon.  Oh I forget to Introduce to the CFW Team CEO - SP Charan, Stage and event Co ordination - OmPrakash Nanabala, Technical Support - Veeraraghavulu,  Food  and Celebrities support  - Aparna Ganti, Singers and Musicians Co ordination  - SP Chandrasekhar, Accommodation, Transportation and Stills thats me.

We have  a challenge with our CEO he is a perfectionist he wants everything to be perfect, for us we know its good yet we know the challenges, luckily even his wife operates on the same platform. so you can understand the team vs management LOL. The days are short and evening are long, lot of work to be done, the biggest challenge is, we want to do a lot of things, yet no control. The provision for us from pin to plane is with the local promoters, organizers and coordinators, between them and us we play hide and seek, we ask, they vanish and then we are fending for ourselves and exploring what to do.

The rehearsal is on the next day 30th September 2016 at Hall  little away from the hotel provided by the organizers, where we had to ensure that the last minute preparations were done with exchange of musical notes, correction of some notations and some last minute details which would make a difference in the song when  performed live in the concert. The arrival of SPB into the hall created a lot of energy with his light hearted chat with his team. He is ready to take suggestion, make improvisations, retakes OMG its beyond expressions.  I am awestruck he has been singing for about 50 years now and his dedication, effort to make sure that the song is not just near to perfection but going beyond.  I have not found the words in the dictionary or sentences to express the experience of listening to him in person. I would here like to share that his better half Smt SP Savitri always enjoys his rehearsal rather than the program most of the time she is lost in the crowd and noise.

What an impact during the rehearsals, you will wonder  how the entire musicians and other singers, who are sitting in the hall, waiting for their turn to rehearsal are immersed in his voice, enjoy and forget they have to rehearse and produce a similar effect.  Did i forget to tell you who is there in rehearsals, Let me introduce the team of Malaysia Concert  #SP Balasubrahmanyam, #SP Shailaja, #SP Charan, #Swetha menon(Mohan), #Anand Aravindakshan, Chorus - Swagatha, Charumathi Pallavi,   Musicians - Lead Guitar - Stephan Mangalraj, Bass Guitar - Caleb Caruso, Keyboard - Chinna, Keyboard - Deena Devarajan, Keyboard- Praveen Nallan Chakravarthy, Tabla - Jaipal Raj, Tabla  - Suresh Raman, Flute - Satish Apparao, Pads - Swamiji, Drummer - Arunkumar, Sound Engineer - Girish, Pro tools - SP Chandrasekhar. In mean time me and Aparna are waiting for Coffee its already 4.30 pm some eyes are searching, I walkout in search at the same time I  see that Dato Kantha Rao has organised for the same. A quick break for all,  Coffee and tea is served looks like another hour of work , I need to go back to the Hotel to care of the next days arrangement.

  

30th September 2016 evening all of us return to the Hotel, CFW team is running around to complete the errands, food arrives, water arrives,  all these have to be sent to the room, whats-app message is sent for all informing the food status. Charan is completing the last minute details for the Final song-list to be printed and given to the entire team. He is also finalizing the run-order a very  important format in the concert, this gives a clarity and also ensures smooth functioning during show.  The time is about 10 pm in the night we are late for dinner its getting cold  yet the lots of things to do , the pressure of doing the show. We have a quick chat with Swaralaya Manivannan and Dato Kantha rao about the show and ensure that there are no Hiccups there are internal challenges with promoters and we are sorting them one by one. Its already 2.30 am pretty cold outside we need to hit the bed,  tomorrow the D day ( Designated day)

Continued in part II

SPB50 Malaysia Concert 1st October 2016 Part 11

1st October 2016 morning 7.30 am location ZENDE Restaurant on the ground floor all musicians have come for breakfast. The entire team has to have breakfast and should be ready to board the bus for the VENUE to do Sound Check before the final show.  The team is waiting time is 9.30 am waiting no vehicle arrives, the wait is getting on the nerves  not because its  late, there is so much to do before the show, 11.30 am  finally we leave for the Venue,  The reality check says its all getting ready, the stage is set, with the backdrop being done, Our musicians get on to the stage to set up their placement and instruments  the lightman is arranging focus lights on each of them. Girish is setting up his sound check for each of the Instruments and also the singers.

Sound check begins  in the due course of time about 1.30 lunch arrives, All the musicians and CFW crew break for lunch there is space enough only for 6 people to sit and eat.  We do get our South Indian  Vegetarian  meals, post lunch everyone is back on the stage for rehearsals. Sound check is done by Charan for all the singers mikes in meantime Veera, Chandu and Prakash set up their work for the program. By 4 pm all of them retire and prepare for the final show.

The Stage

The Show begins at 6 pm with local singers belt out some of the popular tamil songs. The audience slowly begin to trickle into the stadium. I find a que in front of the enterance when I peep outside to check the status. Most of the people have come in groups hence there is a bonhomie as some meet and greet after a long time.  There is still settling down happening audience searching for their seats and flashes of bright smiles and greetings are exchanged.

Badminton Stadium

7 pm 1st October 2016 The Stadium Badminton Cheras Kuala Lumpur Malaysia the audience are waiting 7.15 pm SPB arrives amidst applause, curiosity and urge to see and hear him echos the stadium with chanting SPB SPB SPB.  Manivannan  walks on to the stage this is man who has been running pillar to post to get this up and running he announces the show, Charan quickly addresses  on the walkie talkie  to start the  SPB50 AV there is a pin drop silence engulfing the auditorium to watching the LED SCREEN. A garland of songs and his pictures with his collegues make the audience go raving with praises. 

Swaralya Manivannan begins from  Rajinikanth starrer Movie Annamalai (1992) "Kondayil Thazaam poo"  with Swagatha, Swagatha then introduces the next singer Anand Aravindakshan  to sing from the movie Satya (1988)  "Valayosai"  with local Malaysian singer Kalaivani Original score was by SPB and Lata Mangeskar,  Anand then invites SP Charan who walks on to the stage  to the loud clapping and rousing welcome by the crowds with and sings  "Thamarai Kodi" from the movie Ananda Kummi (1986) music by Illayaraja  I would like to add here a beautiful musical intricate by the maestro listen to the bass lines, Acoustic drums, and Congo usage in the mix.

In meantime the SPB is waiting in the backstage as focused as ever and as nervous as ever, which I wonder why? he has been doing this for ages and He is the king of the stage yet, he says those little butterflies in the stomach makes him get the best out of him " hats off ". The son SP Charan invites the Golden voice  the Legendary Singer Sripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam on the stage, audience going frenzy unable to contain their emotions with lots of clapping, shouting, whistling this entire commotion is taking a while to contain the noise and ephoria as the sound begins to die down, he begins with "Aval Oru navarasa" a 1973 MGR movie, song lyrics by Kannadasan and music by MS Vishwanath the movie Ullagam Suttru valliban   when I am writing this blog I realise that how true to him which has close resemblance to SPB since he is also Ullagam Suttru Valliban.

SPB asks SP Shailaja to join him on the stage to sing "Nadhiyil Adum" from the movie Kadhal Ovium (1982) he chats with the audience by offering his respects if not for the rasikas where  is this SPB.  Then to enthrall he lashes out the "Mere Rang mein" from hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) for a long time this was to be the voice of Salman Khan in his movies, He now invites the beautiful Shwetha menon (mohan) and shares that he has sung with her mother Sujatha Mohan and now with her and was waiting to sing with her children the stadium cheers and they belt out  together "Azhagooril Poothavale" from movie Thirumalai (2003)  music by Vidyasagar whom SPB often mentions to be  wonderful melody maker if you listen in this number he just done that.

On the Stage now Anand Aravindakshan walks in to roaring audience he is popular here, sings "Agaram Ippo" from Sigaram (1991) SPB acted in this movie incidently the playback was done by KJ Yesudas.   Then he sings "Neelavana Odayil" from Kamal Hassan hit movie Vaazhvey maayam (1982)  live sing along facility for all the audience as they join the singer. Charan and Shwetha sing a melody to the delight of the audience "Kadhalenum Thaervezhudhi" from Kadhalar Dinam 1999 music by AR Rahaman. 

Walks in the Golden Voice celebrating the golden year SPB on the stage with  "Aamani paadave"  from Geetanjali (1989)  a Telugu song lyrics by Veturi and Music by Illayaraja, some sing, move along  to this melody number, SPB shares his experience with Veturi and exemplifies his lyrical quality to the audience.  Next to sing "Madai Thirandhu Thaavum"  from the movie Nizhalgal  (1980) which gave the Identity and made him Nizhalgal Ravi and music by Illayaraja , I am sure SPB singing made a lot of actors wanting to enact the singer,  many movies were produced and scripts were written.  I am sure when SPB sang he was the Protagonist himself just enjoying his singing making the onscreen heros more popular. SP Shailaja walks in to sing with SPB "Siriya Paravai" from the Andha Oru Nimidam (1985) a Kamal Haasan starrer.

SPB talks about Malaysia Vasudevan  and association with him and how they both sang  also talks about friendship and sings a song from Sattam(1983) "Nanbane Enadhu Uyir" along with SP Charan, a feast both father and son exchange glances and enjoying the song as the song's alapana fade SPB goes backstage leaving people longing for them to be together. Shweta walks in interacting with the audience and her love for the music and Malaysia along with SP Charan she sings "Thoda thoda malarndhadhenna" from the Aravind Swamy Starrer Indira (1995). The nephew Charan and Aunt SP Shailaja enthrall the audience with their chirpy smiles and enjoying the song with "I want to tell you something"  Movie Anand (1987) a Prabhu and Radha starrer.  Anand with Shwetha belt out "Then Sindhudhe Vaanam" from the movie Ponnuku Thanga Manasu (1975).

Its been a while we had not seen SPB he must be resting or checking his song so I go in to peep he is having his coffee and waiting to be on stage  as he gets up to walk -  Vani Jayaram AV is played he has a quick chat, then along with SP Shailaja sings "Bharathi Kannamma" from the movie Ninaithale Innikum (1979) Kamal, Rajni, Geetha, Jayasudha, Jayapradha starrer.  He then gets into his Solos "Manram Vanda" from hit movie Mouna Ragam (1986),  it was time to make people go frenzy here come "Yennadi Meenatchi" from the movie Ilamai Oonjal Adukirathu (1978). Then he does a medley of popular numbers which the audience join and enjoy sing along,  you could hear them praise him unconditionally.

The time was at its best moving at lightening speed there were more to come Anand  sang "Thanga Thamarai magale" from Aravind Swamy starrer Minsara kannavu (1997), SP Charan sings "Vathi Kutchi Pathikadhuda" from Ajith starrer Dheena (2001) and "Chennai Express" from the Sharukhan movie Chennai Express (2013). Looked like we have to do the one final list and quick blast of the songs to leave the audience to be enthralled for years to come this is SPB50 they need to remember and talk about this.

SPB walks in with "Unnai Partha Pinbu Naan" from Kadhal Mannan (1998) a very cute romantic number,  calls Shweta to sing "Naan Pogiren" from Naanayam (2010) movie was produced by SP Charan under his banner Capital Film Works, then sings "En Kadhale" from the movie Duet (2007) you should hear the Saxophone  done by Kadri Gopinath,  then comes "Swasame" with SP Shailaja from the movie Thenali (2000)  and "Enge Pogudhu Vaanam" from the iconic movie Kochadaiiyaan (2013),  Oh my god the time was already 11.30 the night should not end sorry the time and tide waits for none we should stop here not before SPB50 gives you the peppy number "En Jodi Manja Kurvi" movie Vikram (1986) with the all the singers coming together on the stage  creating a perfect fitting to the final song of the concert.

  

CFW presented SPB50  as a part of the Grand World Tour at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 1st October 2016 on record, audience were enthralled by music, happy faces went home some stayed back to wish the musicians some took selfies some did not know  what to do after this. Our next job was we packed our luggage, Musical Instruments, took selfies, accepted compliments graciously and came back to hotel to party and take our flight back home.  WE thank  Swaralaya Manivannan, Dattu Kantharao, and all the team who took care of us.

Arun, Caleb and Girish left the same night to Bangalore. The next day being rest day all the musicians were on a half day tour to Kuala lumpur,

3rd Morning 2016 our flight MH182 was scheduled for 9.30 am we were all ready in the Bus by about 5.30 am. We came to the Airport together the team were scattered here and there visiting the Duty free shop to buy some chocolates and some gifts back home.

Finally we arrived in Chennai at 10.45 am all of them left home happy after a successful trip. The team CFW had to start preparations for November 2016 we had to do Moscow and Colombo in span of a week. we got back to work immediately.

Team Selfie at the Chennai International Airport 3rd November 2016

Signing off for now will get back to shortly
Shivaram S Vinjamuri