True Story
The Candlelit Concert
I told Pramod, “Candle lit Dinner suna hoga… Candle lit Concert suna hai?! Aaj Priya and I are going to a candlelit concert.”
Pramod raised an eyebrow, “Bhai, sambhalke! Any program with you and fire is a recipe for disaster! Yaad hai na Ajanta Fireball?”
“Bus kya! Relax.. Aisa nahi hai re,” I reassured him. “I think it’s going to be more like a romantic moonlit concert or spa type setting… soothing music, dim lights. ”
Fast forward to the concert hall. We stepped inside, and the stage was absolutely covered in candles, more like a birthday cake of a Ten-Thousand-year-old! Itna saara candles!
As we took the seat, it felt like I was staring into the headlights of an oncoming car. I instinctively shielded my eyes… wondering if I should have got my sunglasses.
As we crept closer, I realized the candles were—thankfully—LED-lit! “Saala, pakya banaya!” Both Priya and I laughed, relieved but also slightly disappointed. Asli candle ka maza nahi hai ?
The concert featured the Indian Jam Group, with a mesmerizing mix of flute, keyboard, and tabla. They played some truly wonderful numbers. Mast Bajaya… it made me forget about the mini sun blaring from the stage. I spent most of the night with closed eyes shutting out the “candles,” and enjoying the music.
The audience was more interested in capturing the moment on their phones. It was less of a candlelit concert and more like a mobile-lit Party!
In the middle of the concert, the artist invited everyone to sing along. The lady next to me was incredibly enthusiastic. She took it as her personal cue to unleash her inner Lata Mangeshkar! Maa kasam, she sang so loud and so out of tune… I appreciate enthusiasm, but yaar we are here to enjoy the instrumental music!
Now the crowd got really into it and sang along with the musicians on stage.
After the artist finished a song, a guy in the front row shouted, “Superb!”
“Thank you!” the artist replied.
“I meant.. the audience sang really well.” Guy shouted back.
Roar of laughter followed.
As we left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d been part of something truly unique.
