Singing At The Gateway Of India Options

[Pradeep]

For 20 years Laxmikant has been singing the old Hindi classics for visitors at this historic monument. The edge of the sea, giant ships, a historic monument and sweet music is an unusual evening for anybody in the city. This has been happening every alternative day at the Gateway of India for the past twenty years and the sweet voice, which we are referring to, belongs to Laxmikant, a 58 year-old singer, who sings to earn his livelihood.

Laxmikant does not need any introduction, the regular visitors to the Gateway know of him and the minute his music begins there is silence. He usually sings the old patriotic songs, bhajans, romantic ballads and evergreen hits of Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar that are enjoyed by the old and the young alike. His voice is melodious, sometimes bringing tears to the eyes of those gathered and he has requests too since many of the old songs can rarely be heard today.

Though he is known as Laxmikant, his birth name is Laxman Mahadik originally from Pune and started singing at the Gateway in 1985. He resides at Bhayander with his wife and three children, all above 30. Yes, he wanted to make his career in singing but despite many attempts failed. That's when he decided that a performer needs just a stage to show his talent and that's how the Gateway became his stage. Said Laxmikant, "When I was working in Aamdar Nivas as an orderly for the ministers and officers then I used to come here during the lunch hour and sing. I knew I could sing well, that's when I decided to make a career out of my singing."

"Everyday I am able to earn between Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 but of course that depends on the crowd. The Arabs and Muslims pay good money, but all the days are not the same. Sometimes people hear me singing and then ask me to sing for them at their private parties. That's when I am able to make good money," he said.

Laxmikant recalls that time when there was only one television channel, Doordarshan and Vividh Bharti. At the Gateway there used to be crowd of foreigners who sat down and listened to his singing despite not knowing the language. "But the new television channels have ruined the old music. Now only those who love the old songs come here to listen to me." Two of his famous listeners include Nana Chudasama and Narayan Rane.

Laxmikant is upset about the new remix culture and the current music scenario. He continued, "Remixes are like adding salt to a sweet dish, that destroys the original taste. They should be banned. Now only lyricist Gulzar's songs are worth listening, but not the rest. Even if music today is worth listening, I never do so."

Pradeep Patekar one of Laxmikant's listeners said, "Listening to his songs is good entertainment for me. This is a heritage place and during the evening it relaxes the mind of listeners who get tired of work. His songs sound original, I don't think anyone can differentiate the original and his song."

Murad Contractor, a boat owner at the Gateway added, "I am listening to for four years and I like his all the songs specially the sad songs which he sings in the voice of the original singer."

This talented and loved singer is still fighting to meet his daily needs. He lives in a rented house and every year he has to move and find another place. "My wife also needs medical help and my sons do not earn enough. But I will continue singing as long as I can," he said.

-- Kaptan Mali (cybernoon.com)