NEW DELHI, Nov 25:
With foot tapping tunes from old Bollywood classics a bunch of Chief Executive Officers and senior executives came together for a noble cause, singing to raise funds for the medical treatment of 10 critically ill underprivileged children.
The event ‘CEOs Sing For GF Kids’ organised by Genesis Foundation (GF) brought together personalities like former election commissioner S Y Quarashi, sufi and classical singer Zila Khan besides Editor and Publisher of Rolling Stone India, N Radhakrishnan as judges to assess the musical talents of corporate leaders who sang their favorite songs in Gurgaon recently.
“I love music and enjoy playing together. I have a band and we jam whenever possible. While playing alone is good enough, playing together is a lot more exciting and fun. For this event I played alone,” Quarashi said.
The leaders of boardrooms were divided into teams from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, who competed against each other with melodies ranging from popular Western to Bollywood music.
“CEOs from across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore came together, and we are delighted that the idea has now taken shape so beautifully,” Prema Sagar, Founding Trustee, Genesis Foundation said.
“Getting corporates to let their hair down and have some fun is a great initiative. In this highly competitive, cut throat business world that allows you no room to unwind and relax, taking time out for music is therapeutic,” Quraishi said.
Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey and Hemant Kumar dominated the Bollywood performance especially the favourites of the rocking 1980s.
“I sang peppy numbers of Kishore Kumar like ‘Jhumroo’ and ‘Dekha Na Haye Re’ to entertain the audience. I have been into music since the 1970s and have sung on many occasions, the most prestigious one being when I was awarded as the best singer for Kishore Kumar songs in 1990 by late music director, Anil Biswas in an All India competition held in Delhi,” said Vipin Raheja, Chairman and Managing Director, Napino Auto and Electronics Ltd.
On the western side, the music went from Phantom of the Opera to Elvis Presley, Bryan Adams to Whitney Houston. The audience was on its feet in no time as team after team vied with the others to win the coveted gold trophy.
“I sang my first Hindi song (bi-lingual song) Senorita with a group, then ‘All of me’ reggae version by John Legend, another group version of Its Now or Never and an Elvis Presley medley. These are come of my favourites and have been practicing for about two weeks,” Mehmood Curmally, Managing Director, Rhythm House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai said.
The event was hosted by popular radio jockey and music producer and curator, Sarthak and witnessed a special performance by Niren Chaudhary, Global President, KFC, US and his band, ‘Just in Time’.
“This band came together more than 25 years ago and the members are friends. We have performed in Hard Rock Cafe locations across the country and play a wide genre of music from Doors, Dire straits, Santana, Bad Company to Radiohead, Red hot chilli peppers,” Chaudhary said.
Known for her inclination towards supporting meaningful initiatives, Bollywood actor Dia Mirza lauded the performance of corporate leaders and congratulated the winning team called “Mumbai Meri Jaan”, comprising of CEOs from Mumbai. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be associated with GF’s cause and support it. I deeply feel for these children who have every right to live a healthy and normal life,” Mirza said. (PTI)
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