LITE music, serious message

The motive - noble, the artists - talented, the programme - spectacular and the crowd - wild. That was LITE, a show presented by Smita Th...

The motive 8211; noble, the artists 8211; talented, the programme 8211; spectacular and the crowd 8211; wild. That was LITE, a show presented by Smita Thackeray8217;s Mukti and Premchand Lokhande8217;s group, ICIC, to spread awareness about AIDS.

Held at the B.J Medical grounds on June 5, the show, organised by Cine Communications, started with the arrival of Shiv Sene supremo Bal Thackeray at 8:20 p.m. amongst fireworks, cheers and tight security. He was invited by MTV VJs Nikhil, Maria and Pooja to light the inaugural lamp.

The show began with Nitin Bali leading the pack of singers and artistes who were all set to get the audience on fire. Mehnaz got the crowd up and on their feet with the ever-popular Dama Dam Mast Kalandar. Her Come to Mumbai also received much applause even as she altered Bombay Se Aaya Mera Dost to Pune Se8230;, dedicating it to the people of Mumbai and Pune.

Milind Ingle could not evoke as much response with his hits Chuimui si and Kudi Jach Gayi as with a slow Marathi number, Karavan. During a five-minute break, entertainment gave way to information as two screens next to the stage displayed facts about AIDS along with Sonu Nigam8217;s song on the disease.

The one and only Remo Fernandes had the audience eating out of his hands as he unleashed a massive spectrum of talent. He sang Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, Humma Humma, Jalwa, accompanied by just a tabla, guitar and flute. His trademark scatting had the audience utterly spell-bound. But the pick of the evening was his original composition on AIDS, Everybody Wants To Ooohh Without The Fear Of AIDS. After the much-awaited O Meri Munni, Remo requested and encouraged parents and children to talk amongst themselves about AIDS and its prevention.

The Loveology guy Shaan, minus sister Sagarika, sang his latest hits, including Woh Pehli Baar from the film, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi. His attempt at singing Chaiyya Chaiyya, by jumbling up a few lines, deserves a mention. Tanya, making her debut at live shows, had the huge crowd getting her to a nervous start as she rendered her song, Woh Mausam Kya Hua. Harvinder came on stage, starting on a classical note, but could not get the audience going after Remo8217;s pace and beat.

With the dust just about settling down and the crowd feeling just a little cold, actress Shilpa Shetty made her grand entry. Her dance to Chamma Chamma and Makhna was good but the crowd was all for the robust Hindustani, from the album Dus. Backed by a good dance troupe and tricolours on the stage at the end, colour-paper flyer bombs and fireballs marked the end of a thrilling and power-packed show.