Music Addiction

Banoo Apa and Rukhsana Khan

A cute little music system found its way into the Club, courtesy Rukhsana Khan. The cobalt blue conical speaker that operates on a cord linked to a mobile phone (amplifying the music stored in its SD card) however, refused to play on Rukhsana’s phone. So it had to be attached to Banoo Apa’s bright red smartphone in what the owners declared as a “marriage of convenience”. After that, it played on merrily, enlivening the atmosphere during the exercises.
Silly as it may sound, the music accompanying the exercises has a lot to do with lifting our spirits and creating a sense of joie de vivre for the time we are together. The songs playing, however old or modern, or even as repetitive as they might be, are completely irrelevant. All we crave for is the ‘noise’ to bring that extra zing – a new spring in our step.
This becomes all the more apparent when, for some reason, the music system is absent or becomes dysfunctional. It would then seem as though the entire group has plunged into mourning, glumly going through the motions in silence.

Scramble for Monthi Serrao's shrewsbury biscuits

Shekhawat breaking into a spontaneous jig, the wisecracks of Nahid Khan and Srichand Arora on the lyrics, the involuntary clapping and rampant laughter around the circle… all of that is replaced by deathly quietness. So dependent have we become on our music fix, that one of these days someone might even propose creating an ‘honorary membership’ for the music box!
In keeping with the upbeat mood brought about by Rukhsana and Banoo Apa, there was Monthi Serrao’s generous (and indeed, thoughtful) treat of Pune’s famous Shrewsbury biscuits. Her daughter, Rovena was in Pune recently. Here, mention must be made of Monthi leaving standing instructions with Rovena that wherever she travels, she must get back something special, packed separately for the Club. The latter is an IT professional and travels all the time, virtually living out of a suitcase. The trouble is that we are getting spoiled by so much of goodness. With such caring and benevolent souls around, we seem to be living in an unreal world.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Music has healing powers. A good laugh and melodious songs make for a healthy combination, thanks to Rukhsana and Banoo Apa who made it happen. Thanks also to Monthi-ji for the Shrewsbury biscuits from Pune. Delicious ones!