During the 50s, 60s and 70s, films were the only form of entertainment.  During those times the number of films released were less, compared to hundreds of movies released at present. Film-goers also had the privilege of buying booklets of movie songs in the theatre itself. Old timers will definitely remember those nostalgic days. Unlike the present TV, Mobile, Internet age, listening to film songs on radio was the other form of entertainment and a good pastime. Almost everyone used to tune into their favourite “Binaka Geeth Maala” by Amin Sayani, Radio Ceylon and All India Radio.  

The songs of yesteryears, particularly the romantic numbers, were very popular and were repeatedly aired on radio, on request from music-lovers.

Dr. M.S. Natashekar of Geeth Gaatha Chal-fame is organising and sponsoring a “Romantic Songs Musical Nite” on  Oct. 1 (Sunday) at Kalamandira in city between 5 pm and 9 pm to commemorate the 100th  birth anniversary of his late father  M.N. Shamanna, proprietor of Naganna Stores, Chamaraja Double Road, Mysuru.

Along with his troupe, he will be presenting 13 Kannada and 13 Hindi Romantic songs.  The programme will be compered by G.N. Manjunath. Entry to the programme is free for public.    

Artistes’ Profile

Dr. M.S. Natashekar: A senior ENT Surgeon and one of the main singers of “Geeth Gaatha Chal” musical programme by doctors and their families, he has organised musical nites in memory of Legendary Singer Mukesh, Melody King of the South Dr. P.B. Srinivas, Indian Charlie Chaplin Raj Kapoor and many more.  He has also shared the stage with Dr. S. Janaki, the Nightingale of South India.

Dr. Amritha Upadya: A paediatrician by profession, she has learnt Karnatak classical music from Varijakshi Bhat and Madur Balasubramanyam. She is a trained Bharathanatya dancer, her Guru being Vid. Suddr Kodavooru.  She has given many musical concerts and dance performances till date.

Rakshita Suresh: A  second B.Sc. student with interest in music from a very young age, she is a disciple of Sunitha Chandrakumar and Ustad Faiyaz Khan. She has won many prizes and laurels in various TV reality shows.  She has given numerous live musical concerts across India and abroad.

Hamsini S. Kumar: A second BCA student and a ‘B’ Grade AIR artiste, she learnt classical music from Bhanumathi and Vid. Shrinath.  She has participated in various TV reality shows and won many prizes.  She has given many concerts at national level.

Prithvi Shankar: He is a post-graduate engineer who started learning classical music from a very young age.  He has participated in various classical music competitions and won prizes.  He has represented his college at University-level competitions and is presently working in Nokia Networks as Senior Engineer.

Manasa Pakali: She is a BBM graduate, learning guitar and Sugama Sangeetha from Andagaara Srinivas. She has won many prizes during college competitions.  

Harshitha Ramachandra:  An engineering student from SJCE, she has learnt classical music from Gayathri Kiran Kumar and participated in TV reality shows.

Athishay Jain: He is an engineering graduate and has been learning Karnatak classical music from various gurus, his first guru being his mother Neeraja Kundesh. He has participated in various TV reality shows.  He is not only a playback singer but also a composer and music director.  He has given music performances all over Karnataka and has won many prizes.

Shashank Jaiprakash: An arts graduate with a M.Sc in Psychological Counselling, he is employed at Allegis, an American MNC. He has completed classical piano and acoustic guitar grades from London College of Music with distinction.  He is learning Hindustani music and has participated in many  events.  Apart from vocal singing, he has also performed on Upright Piano and Keyboard.

Ashwin Prabhu: A computer engineer from SJCE, he has learnt Karnatak vocal from Vid. Vijesh, Sugama Sangeetha from H.R. Leelavathi, Raju Ananthswamy and gamaka vocal from Vidu. Shubha Raghavendra.  He has participated in TV reality shows and won prizes.  A grade ‘B’ artiste of AIR, he has passed senior level drawing exam and is adept at Calligraphy.

Apoorva Natashekar: An engineering graduate, she has been performing with “Geeth Gaatha Chal” since her childhood. She has participated in various college functions.

P. Neethu Ninaad: A student of Gangubai Hangal college of Performing Arts, he is learning Hindustani music from Veerabhadraiah Hiremath and Karnatak classical music from Bhagyalakshmi. He has participated in TV reality shows and won many prizes.  He is also an excellent flautist. Along with his father Prasanna, a well-known Keyboard player, he has sung in various live shows and also played flute. He has recently given music direction for a Kannada movie.