Nagpur: Stories from film sets, memories of legendary co-stars and songs that have stood the test of time turned Shivaji Nagar Garden into a celebration of Hindi cinema’s golden era on Thursday as veteran actor Asha Parekh captivated the audience during ‘Kuch Yaadein Kuch Nagme’, a ‘Deepsandhya’ organised by the Shivaji Maharaj Kruti Samiti.In a candid conversation with chef Vishnu Manohar, the Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient spoke about her childhood, career and long association with Nagpur. “My two aunts lived here, so I often visited the city when I was eight or nine. My last event in Nagpur was one featuring Rajesh Khanna’s songs,” she said.Parekh also recalled the demands of working on film sets in an era before vanity vans. Bright reflectors often made her eyes water, forcing her to wear dark glasses. “People would think I had been drinking,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.Parekh expressed concern that today’s songs are losing the classical influence and sweetness of the past. She praised musician Niranjan Bobade for working to preserve the tradition.The conversation unfolded alongside a live musical tribute conceived by Bobade. A 30-member ensemble, led musically by Bobade and Mahendra Dhole, performed Hindi film songs. Makarand Patankar opened with ‘Shyam Mastani’, followed by Manjiri Vaidya’s ‘Raat Ka Sama’ and Dhanashree Deshpande’s ‘Suno Sajna’. Bobade performed ‘Teri Aankhon Ke Siva’ and Gauri Shinde sang ‘O Meri Sona Re’.The event drew a large audience and was attended by MLC Abhijit Wanjari, Vilas Kale, advocate Anand Parchure, Ravindra Kasakhedikar and Sanjay Pendse, among others. Samiti president Ajay Sanchiti and its office-bearers and members were part of the organising team.
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