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Music for the Soul
Soothes the mind and givers it rest,
Heals the heart and makes it whole,
Flows from heaven to the soul.
With the words of an unknown poet Rashna Gazder started her “Informal musical evening” on March 18, 2007 at a local hotel.Mrs Rashna Gazder, a Parsi lady, has been giving piano lessons in Karachi since the last 15 years. Nineteen of her pupils performed, enchanting an audience of almost 250 guests. The children whose ages ranged between eight to 15 years performed with skill and confidence. The harmonious mix of the various pieces – the short and the long, the fast and the slow -- were a treat for the audience who were spellbound.
The choice of the audience was varied and delightful – right from Beethovan and Johann Struss to the well-known classics of Richard Clayderman. Majority of the students were from Karachi Grammar School. The function was well attended by head mistresses and principals of various Karachi schools.
The honoured chief guests were Mrs Kermin Parakh, principal of BVS Parsi High School and Mrs Christine Martins of St. Lawrence’s Convent Girls School. The children of the two ladies performed as well.
The items were smoothly coordinated by Zara and Cyra contractor who gave amusing anecdotes about each pupil. The songs “Memory” and “Love story” were beautifully sung while the piano duet “Chop sticks” performed by twin sisters had the audience clapping to the beat.
The best performance of the evening was “the blue Danube waltz”, performed by Ruxshin Dinshaw. Guest performer cousins thrilled the audience with “Hotel California”, Dinshaw Avari played the electric guitar and Freezeh Avari gave him a steady beat on the drums.
The evening ended on a touching note with a parent Mrs Dolly Menezes singing “Go light your world.” All the 19 participants encircled her with lighted candles; the audience not only appreciated the lovely programme but the skill with which it was conducted.
The innocence of the budding pianists provided food for the soul. Memories of these young performers will linger on in the minds of Karachiites for long.
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