From athlete to singing star

These are some of the mushairas heard at the cultural programmes held every evening at the Games Village here. The daily programme is such a hit with the athletes that it is called the most successful event of the entire National Games. The three-hour programme gives the sportsmen an opportunity not only to unwind but also display their other talents. Each day there is a long list of participants wanting to show off their `other’ talents. Besides, it makes a nice change after a hard day’s work.

*Andhra Pradesh’s Kabaddi player Vijaya was an instant hit when her melliflous voice rendered popular film songs in Telugu and Hindi. Delhi’s Kho-kho player Pooja Sharma’s ghazals cast a spell on the audience, while Chandigarh’s Balwinder Singh’s rendition of Ataullah Khan’s Punjabi melodies like `Theva mundi da tara, sari raat karoon mein seva…’ had people screaming for more.

**Bihar’s D K Mishra sang popular film songs while Kerala players broke into a breakdance on the main road in the Village which was converted into a dance floor. Then, there was group of six from Jammu and Kashmir who entertained the spectators with typical folksongs.

  Ironically, even here, the entries were restricted to 25 for each event to give everyone a chance. The event will reach a climax on June 10 when the `Bada Khaana’ is hosted. Incidentally, it was at one such `do’ that Gurdas Mann who did his judo coach ‘s training at Patiala in 1977 found his real vocation – singing. The very next year he cut an album and became a singing star!