“At
long last we got the approval from the Guinness authorities
for our achievement, we accomplished in the year 2000”,
the visibly overjoyed sprightly siblings Anitha & Roshini
share the news… with parents sitting by their side, eyes gleaming
with pride… they exchange high fives, pat each other’s back
in appreciation.
What’s
all the fuss about…quite ostentatious, one may think. But,
they have every reason to celebrate the phenomenal success of
their memorable feat of “Singing
non-stop for 37 hours”, which finally fetched them a
covetous place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Trichy
is their native. Father Kaliaperumal is Professor of Tamil at
St. Joseph’s. Mother Lucy is a domestic Engineer.
Wiping out the tears of joy, their mother wonders
about their kids’ musical talent because no one in their family
have ever been in this field. Yet music comes so naturally to
them. Nodding in approval to their mom’s compliment, these pristine
young girls talk in tandem about their pet field, childhood
experiences, of course their marathon singing et al.
Elder
sister Anitha…
"I
was in the fourth standard then. I used to sing with my peers
in various occasions. My class teacher identified my voice
as something different and I was considered as the best singer
among the fifty odd students. Since my dad is a college
Professor, I got
plenty of chances to sing at many college festivals. My school
principal suggested to my parents that I should be given
proper training in music. Soon, I joined Kalai Cauvery Music
College. I took a diploma in classical and vocal music,
as well as in Bharathanatyam. It
was a bit odd there, as I was the youngest [8 years of age]
while the rest were in their twenties.
In one of my
performances, I heard a baby’s loud sobbing voice from the
audience, which brought my performance to a screeching halt. All
eyes turned to the kid; it was none other than my younger sister
Roshini. My mom’s all types of cajoling to shut her mouth went
in vain. The reason you know… she too wanted to sing with me.
She was only two then. Yet, the organizers accepted that crying
demand and she was made to sing along with me. My two-year-old
sister Roshini stunned the audience with her 'mazhalai' voice by
singing a devotional number on Jesus Christ. That was the way
she entered this field and it’s going on and on…
Now,
it’s Roshini’s turn…
When
I was in class 4, Cine music director Vidya Sagar was
the chief guest in one of my stage performances at Trichy. He
highly commended my voice. We were thrilled when he asked us
to meet him in Chennai, if we happen to visit the place.
When
we met him in Chennai. he not only remembered us by our names
but he straightaway gave me a chance to sing in his film
‘Aha enna porutham’. Next, we did our bit
in Baghyaraj’s ‘Vaettiya Madichi Kattu’. We
couldn’t honour further opportunities in playback singing as
we were focusing on our studies. We released several devotional
albums… ‘Deiveega Oli’, ‘Thaenaruvi’, ‘Parakka Thudikiraen’,
Deiveega Punitharae’ to name a few. We are fortunate to
sing along with many great singers like Dr. SPB, S. Janaki,
Vani Jayaram, Malaysia Vasudevan and of that ilk. Singing
with seniors is always a learning experience.
These
sisters have 2500 stage performances many TV appearances to
their credit. Many great stalwarts of this field have honoured
them. Foreign opportunities too keep knocking at their doors
these days.
Well,
what’s all about the “ 37 Hours Marathon ”?
"Dinamalar
Daily was the main sponsor of that programme. Trichy
Vasavi Mahal was the venue. The eighteen-member troupe
of Sangeeth Orchestra was there to accompany us for
that epic event. Guinness rules are so stringent that even
a single lapse would cost us dearly and our record would be
in jeopardy.
Rules
like,
-Time
taken between songs should only be 30 seconds.
-A
song should be of a minimum 2 minutes.
-The
same 18-member troupe should be on the stage till the last
minute of 37th hour.
We knew that the previous record was a '12 hour non-stop'
by the 'London’s Midland Orchestra'. We wanted to set
a target that couldn’t get broken easily in the near future
and went for '37 hours'.
We went through rigorous training for about six months.
Then
came the D-Day. The
18-member judging panel was watching us carefully.
We sang songs in all the Indian languages. We enjoyed the audience
support to the fullest. We did not feel any fatigue in the first
12 hours and we easily over took the Londoners. My parents and
friends were by our side and took care of our timely needs.
We were often given warm water, milk and occasional fresh juice
to keep our throat sustain for the task.
Dinamalar daily
made elaborate arrangements in keeping the hall bustling all
along. One full day passed by. We just couldn’t believe that
we have crossed yet another milestone. Though, we were mentally
strong, we were a tad worn-out physically. We fervently prayed
for the successful completion of the task. When we had crossed
34 hours, our mom swooned beneath the dais and dad hurriedly
took her to the nearby hospital.
It
was difficult for a while to concentrate on our mission. We
were in a dilemma whether to continue or not. The vigorous training,
Dinamalar’s painstaking arrangements, orchestra people’s devotion
and audience’s impervious support… all passed through our minds
and strengthened our resolve. Finally
we signed off in style. And it’s a record now!”
Their
mother intervened here to say that she promptly returned from
the hospital in time to greet their daughters.
Well,
Anitha is in the US now. After her Engineering degree here she
flew off to the US and did her Masters there and presently works
for a US firm. Meanwhile, Roshini and her mom live in Chennai.
Roshini has just completed her +2 exams. And she prepares herself
to take on a career in ‘play back singing’. At present Roshini
is one of the main singers for a Chennai based orchestra ‘Sathaga
paravaigal’. Being a natural and talented singer, sure
she will make a name for herself on the big screen too!!!
