More on art for art's sake - never mind the clinking champagne flutes and sequined purses clutched under the arms. So, even though enough has been said about the Kala Ghoda Benefit Event, there was something off-key we thought should be gossiped about. that Rahul Khanna (wonder what he was doing there, as he didn't bid for any of the auctioned works) was with a journo friend, someone he has been seen with whenever he is back home in Mumbai from New York. Also, while the Rooftop venue bustled with dedicated culturati (vying for the best frames put up for the auction) till late in the night, the moment they left they were found dusting their jackets, as Rajoo Punjwani did, discussing who the best drycleaners in Mumbai were. Goodness gracious, does Sanjiv Malhotra know his pristine white chairs are being suspected, and indirectly, his hospitality?Musical legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, who just received the Padma Vibhushan award, wowed the select audience (including television personality Lillete Dubey and Chairman of Hindustan Levers, Vindi Banga), who watched him perform with his sons Amaan and Ayaan, on Sunday. It was at the Ballroom, Taj Mahal Hotel, which was specially designed to create a regal atmosphere to match the classical music. "There are two types of music in the world, one is based on the text, the songs, and other one is the sound which deals with the instruments. We communicate with the sound, we sing through our instruments," explained the sarod maestro. Added Amaan: "We learn every time we perform, it's not a recipe that we read and reproduce. It's new every time, the performance that we give once, we cannot repeat again." The brothers have signed a three-year contract to host the TV show Saregama, and Ayaan chipped in: "The show definitely gives us exposure and we enjoy doing it because it is again related to music." The Ustaddedicated the musical evening to Rajmata Scindia and the victims of Gujarat.Stars float downIt was a star-studded night on the January 26, at the Andheri sports complex, as the show, Hum Ek Hai, unfolded on the Republic Day, simultaneously in five cities.Archana Puran Singh took over the stage as the host of the evening. The orchestra was by Viju Shah. The evening began with the melodious voice of Adnan Sami, followed by Chetan Rana, who sang a few numbers like Mere Desh Ki Dharti to set the right tempo. Soon the superstar took over, begining with Karisma Kapoor and then Shilpa Shetty's Hindustani number from Dus. Sonali Bendre, Rani Mukharjee, Mayuri Cango and Akshaye Khanna performed too. Playback singer, Sudesh Bhosle, also managed to keep the audience on its toes. One of the best performances, though, was by talk-of-the-town couple, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, to Dholi taro and other numbers from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Shakti Kapoor entertained with jokes and mock-songs.Even though Hrithik Roshan and Sanjay Dutt did not perform, Saif Ali Khan didn't allow the audience miss them, by performing some of their songs, like Kaho Na Pyar Hai and Gori Tu Chali Kahan. Shah Rukh Khan spoke on the earthquake that had struck on the same day. He then called upon Chief Minister, Vilas Rao Deshmukh, who informed the crowd about the steps taken to help the Gujarat victims, adding: "Similar shows are going on in five cities in India, I call this a perfect example of national integration". The last and the most touching performance was by Sunil Shetty, it was more of screen visual from Border. The show came to an end with all the stars assembling on the stage, to witness the loud fireworks.
