The Party Begins....Sept 16, 2006

If rain wanted to play spoilsport, it failed miserably. Yes, it did delay the evening. But ex-Vanians who had waded through water to reach the venue of Vani Vidyalaya Alumni party, made use of the ‘free period.’ They checked out their classrooms of yesteryears.
I went to sit in std. VI classroom and found how small the benches were. My knee touched the under-ply of the desk. Decades ago, they were so perfect for us. We were indeed tiny tots and the school was custom-made for us. I felt so special and important, retrospectively. Imagine, the school principal, teachers and peons all working for us, without we even knowing that.
Even now, we have people at our beck, but it doesn’t feel special. Perhaps, because there is no innocence anymore. We know that these people work for us and they know too that we know that. Complicated? Indeed, grown ups are.
That’s why living yesterday all over again was pleasantly so nostalgic. The evening started with the customary devotional song sung by Mahalaxmi Iyer, wife of Rajesh Iyer, 1991 batch.
After the initial introductions, the floor was thrown open to revellers. The floor was the purpose-serving quadrangle, surrounded by school corridors on all sides.

Ex-Vanians rush to the floor as music begins


You know which was the first song that blared out of the loudspeakers?

Got my first real six-string
Bought it at the five-and-dime
Played it till my fingers bled
It was the summer of 89..oops 69
……………………
Those were the best days of my life!

Sanjay Deshmukh of 1987 batch had just left the venue to attend an important dinner. Just as his car manoeuvred to get out of the gate, Bryan Adam’s guitar strums rent the air. “My immediate impulse was to reverse and join the revelry. But the dinner was called by my mom-in-law and my wife was sitting next to me. I wanted to reach home in one piece,’’ Sanjay said, tongue firmly in cheek.
Sanjay left but the floor rocked. Amid disco lights, girls dressed from strappy tops to salwar kameez and sari gyrated to the music. Boys showing off tattoos wanted ‘metallic songs’ and bobbed their heads in sync with the shrilling electronic guitar leads.
The songs were a mix of English and Hindi pops. The DJ event was organised by Sujit Gautam of 1988 batch.

Rajesh Iyer (1991) boogieing away


Once again, care was thrown to the wind and we danced oblivious to the people watching. But wasn’t it supposed to be going back to childhood?

Shilpa and I-- Nach Baliye!

So we went overboard. Vandana Ganesan (1989) broke her sandal heels, but that didn’t stop her. Quickly she dumped the hurdle nearby and joined back, barefoot. My skirt was slipping from my waist, as it was wet because of the rain! Bashfulness had no place there, though. So I danced with carefree abandon. And no it did not fall. OK?

Vandana taking support of Shilpa after her sandal ditched her


The Broken Sandals: Proof of Vandana's crazy dancing

A Tamil song was demanded and I was like, “ Oh I will catch few breaths till it’s played. I wouldn’t understand the song.” But the song was so racy --- Forget catching a breath, matching my steps with the beat seemed a task.’’



Anil Nair, all the way from Australia and a gatecrasher

After a Tamil song, could a Marathi number be left behind? The smart DJ played Aika Daaji Ba… …Shilpa Mhatre had a taken a break to drink water. But when Aatshe Khidkya hit her ears, she gulped the water and hit the floor. We missed Disha, now in London. She was the ‘hero’ of the Koli dance fraternity.

Shilpa Mhatre and I--aamhi koli lok

Suddenly people noticed that the seniors were not in the fray. Repeated chants of “We want Oldies,” pierced the air. To entice them to the floor, the Bachchan starrer—Dekha na, hai re, socha na…..was played. And it worked!!
They came, they danced, they conquered…our hearts. I didn’t approve of the word ‘Oldies’ to describe them and the way they moved their bods, just proved me right. In fact, 1967’s C R Ramakrishnan’s wife Chitra put youngsters to shame the way she burnt the floor. They were senior and experienced and much better than us in every way. It was fantastic to see ex-Vanians with their children, who also passed out from Vani. (For instance, CR’s daughter Deepa 2000 batch) On the same platform.

The Seniors: They were graceful and gregarious. Chitra in blue saree is in her own world

The three Amigoes --Shilpa, Vandana and yours truly


We were thirsty and hungry. And the food spread only added to our glee. There was a sweet drink to start with. And bhel and paani-puri, further spicing up the event. For non-‘Madrasis’ like me it was heartening to see Dahi-Bhaat (curd rice) topped with mustard and red chillies. I remember how the smell of it filled the air whenever Vaidehi opened her tiffin box in school. A red chatni on top made it look like a cherry on a pineapple cake!
But have to admit, it doesn’t smell good when surpressed inside a dabba for three hours. But on September 16, not only did it smell good, it tasted good too! The regular spread was also there.

Sucheta and Shilpa relishing the food

The music was on….but it was past 10.30 pm—half hour after the deadline to switch off the loudspeakers, as per rules. So a friendly Pandu came and requested us to call it a day or rather night. We obeyed him promptly as there’s a hospital near our school now.

Sucheta and Shilpa with daughter Sara

But the excitement was anything but over. We exchanged email ids and phone numbers. Got introduced to classmate’s spouses and children.

The Gang

We left with a feeling of gratefulness for our alma mater for making us what we are today. Whoever said ‘We don’t need no education’? And no, that song was not on the charts that evening.

--Archana Sharma---







Well..the most relevant for me...Batch of 1989...in their ninth standard. To start with the very endearing Kumudam Miss.
Well I am at the corner on the extreme left of the top row of girls. Vandana is on the extreme right same row. Disha seated sweetly, Shilpa, next to the gorgeous Jyoti, supressing a smile. Nayan in his best. And HV...unchanged since his junior kg pic.

The rangoli may take all the attention but I don't mind as it's drawn by me. Though I am not half as good as others here, I am still proud of the little art I manage to do.