‘Ek-duuje-ke-liye’ jodi Pyarelal and Laxmikant (daughter Rajeshwari) honoured by music-fraternity

Chaitanya  Padukone

After so many years, it was heartening for audiences to witness this grand emotional ‘re-union’ on stage for legendary Bollywood composer-conductor-arranger  Pyarelal Sharma, his wife Sunila Sharma and his ‘late’ music-partner Laxmikant’s  daughter Rajeshwari . This memorable harmonious coming-together took place at the grand ‘The Golden Duo—Laxmi-Pyare’  live concert  anchored by RJ Anmol, at Shanmukhananda Hall, invited by and organised by impresario-showman Nitin Shankar  ( ‘Red Diamonds’) and his wife Jyoti Shankar backed by a huge 70 members-orchestra . Which also included top cine-musicians and even those who had played at the original sound-track recordings-takes of Laxmi-Pyare. “ It’s my sentimental unique tribute-salute guru-dakshina to the legendary masters composer-duo,” enthused rhythm-maestro Nitin Shankar.  What impressed the audience was that despite his nearing-80 years age, Pyarebhai stood continuously for over three hours on stage --as he diligently ‘conducted’ the orchestra. When I personally asked him from where he derived the indefatigable energy,  Pyare-bhai explained . “ It’s all thanks to the blessings of Maa Saraswati-Devi, my passion for music and the abundant love from all my ardent fans. Besides I was performing my ‘duty’ and you don’t realize the duration or discomfort when you simply enjoy what you are doing,” said Pyarebhai clad in a dignified formal white-suit. .  Both the  genius sangeetkar as well as Laxmi-ji’s daughter Rajeshwari  seemed overwhelmed when they were forehead- wrapped with the traditional Maharashtrian saffron-colour  ‘phetaa’-turban and honoured with a beautiful icon of Maa-Saraswati and a unique LifeTimeAchievement Award-trophy in the shape of  a Long-Playing record-disc with a centre label poster of 1963 musical super-hit movie Parasmani  which first brought them together.   Deviating from the conventional norm of getting film-stars, Nitin had specially invited only composers and singers like Minister–singer Babul Supriyo, Lalit Pandit, Salim, Shravan Rathod with son Sanjeev, Sameer Sen with son Sohail, Bela Sulakhe, Shabab Sabri, and Mohd. Salamat not only to perform ‘live’ but also to join in the joint-group-felicitation of Pyare-bhai and Rajeshwari ( on behalf of her father Laxmikant). Among the extempore surprise highlights of the amazing show were the ad-lib live  singing performances by Salim, Babul-da, Sanjeev, Lalit, Sohail Sen and of course  Gaurav Sharma  (CPO- of ‘Radio Nasha’ & ‘Fever FM’).  What also had the audience sentimentally  delighted, is that Rajeshwari  while on stage revealed that “both my dad Laxmi-jee and Pyare-Uncle even shared the same blood-group which is B-Positive”.