Runa Lai's magic

Runa Laila gave a performance in the city yesterday.Was a great fan of her voice and a liveliness that used to ooze out.She was a craze in the 70's among all college goers.
I am not sure that she has given very many live performances in the city in the last decade or two. So when i saw her programme as part of Hindu Friday Review music festival, i was sure i wanted to be there. There was last minute disappointment as all tickets were sold out and i was quite inconsolable. The subject came up during the sidelines of an official meeting and the next thing i knew was i was invited to attend the show and would i be free?
So literally dragged kumar out from his office and we went for the show. It was good fun and lots of entertainment. She has some voice.And she sings it with such ease and carefree abandon. It is as though the tunes are dancing and playing around her.She sang some serious ghazals as she was told that chennai crowd is a serious crowd. But what i saw was there were good number of bengalis and north indians and they preferred the zippy numbers that she has sung in movies of years back.
She and her musical troupe were gelling well and not only that, enjoyed every bit of what they were doing and also doing it together.There will be a small smile curling up one person's lips and before long it will pass by sign and body language to all the others.
"mera babu chain chabeela main tho nachoongi... was the song just before interval. And dama dam masth kalandar was the last song and all of us reluctantly left the hall.
First time i am attending a concert where the audience participation is full and forthright. Clapping happned throughout the concert and continuous dialogue at the end of each song too.Remembered years back when usha uthup hit the stage and she used to dance and sway and exhort the audience to sing and dance with her, I used to be aghast. Concert for me was classical concert where the singer/performer did a very professional and serious job and at best we could send a few slips for our 'man pasand' songs. He may or may not take note of these requests.
Photographers had a tough time getting a good shot as she was all over the stage and at one point came down and mingled with the audience.
It was fun and good times. I would like to attend her concert once again when she is able to come to the city.