JEDDAH, 27 January 2008 — She is called Lata Mangeshkar of Jeddah. Melody girl Anita Varghese is a versatile singer and her talent was much on display at a “Geet and Ghazal Nite” organized last week by Sauhruda Vedi Jeddah, a cultural group. Moideen Kutty, a member of the group, welcomed the guests.
As the show progressed, it turned out to be a nostalgic musical evening. Everyone present enjoyed Anita’s renditions, which brought the normally reserved Jeddah audience to its feet, clapping along with the beats.
Beginning with a classic offering of her “Salam Salam” from the film “Umraojaan,” Anita sang the night away with all-time favorites, including “Mohe Panghat Per,” “Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet,” Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aja, “Jadugar Saiyan Chod Mori Bahiyan,” to the more recent “Mohe Bhool Gaye Sawariya” from the film “Sawariya.”
Anita kept the audience engaged for the entire performance. The song “Aap Ki Nazaroon Ne Samjha Pyar Ke Qabil Mujhe” set the tempo for things to come.
The audience enjoyed the rendition of classics such as “Awaz De Kahan Hai” and “O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aayi, Dekhoji Bahar Aayi.”
The music lovers whistled and shouted out requests, even asking the performer to sing the same songs again.
Anita was accompanied by Rashid on harmonium, Mahboob Kavannoor on tabla, Mustafa Kannur on keyboard, Thomas Antony on violin, Joseph on guitar, Suraj Manoli on rhythm pad and Rashid Kolathara on dholak.
Anita is not only a gifted singer but also a meritorious student. She was a topper in the grade 10 examinations at the International Indian School in Jeddah (IISJ). She passed her grade 12 in Mumbai, scoring 95 percent marks. She obtained her medical degree this year.
Anita has performed Bharat Natyam and Carnatic music for 13 years, from the age of 5. She has also practiced Hindustani music for 10 years. She performed a grueling two-hour Bharat Natyam solo recital to much accolades at the Madras Music Academy, Triveni Auditorium at Delhi and King George Auditorium at Mumbai.
Two of her music albums have been released and marketed by Sony Music.
Her “Geet and Ghazal” program was telecast by popular Kairali TV channel.
