Surprise Party

Birthday boy, BUNTY

Bunty singing with wife, Priya

Today we got a glimpse of how two beautiful and enormously gifted individuals were drawn together and went on to tie the knot many years ago.
For a while Bunty (a.k.a. Mahendra Singh Thakur) pretended to be Rajesh Khanna and with wife Priya agreeing to do a Mumtaz, together they sang the popular romantic duet of the seventies, ‘Yunhi tum mujhse baat karti ho…’
“This was the song I sang for her during our courtship days,” Bunty revealed as he celebrated his birthday this morning.
He had turned 51 last Friday (on July 21), but since the date coincided with Rakhi Bansi’s birthday, he agreed to defer his celebration by four days. Today was the first convenient date available to him as there was no other birthday on in the Club. In this behind-the-scenes planning and organising, Vasudev Batheja played a key role.
Since many in the Club were unaware of all this, Bunty’s treat came as a pleasant surprise to most.

Vasudev Batheja

Banoo Apa for one, had brought a box of rose-flavoured mawa barfi (a rarity these days) little knowing that Bunty had already lined up a rich spread of savories that included saboo-dana wada, samosa, pedas, muffins… and of course, tea.
Banoo Apa cheerfully explained her treat as a measure of prolonging Yusuf Rassiwala’s 70th anniversary celebrations from Sunday (ref yesterday’s post). Her husband, Dr Muhammed Farooq Khan also graced the occasion.

Arnav stands tall in the middle

Another big bonus of the morning was that we got to meet Bunty’s son, Arnav. He is a bright college kid

Banoo Apa treats us to mawa barfi

preparing for an MBA course. But today, he was his mother’s right-hand man, helping with preparing the plates and attending to guests. He has a sister, younger to him. We would hopefully get to meet all of them together some day. Meanwhile, here’s wishing Bunty and his wonderful family the very best.

The party spills out on the street

Bhaswati Bose:
Belated Happy Birthday, Bunty. We have had many birthday parties, but this was the first time the birthday boy and his wife sang together for us. Their melodious duet made our day.

Kiran Prakash:
Belated Happy Birthday, dear Bunty. It was indeed a musical birthday party today. May God shower his blessings and both of you continue to progress in your personal and professional journey.

Yusuf Rassiwala:
Bunty-ji, thank you very much for inviting our Big Laaf members to your birthday party. We all really enjoyed it very much. It was very pleasant to hear your duet song with your beautiful wife, Priya. Lovely couple, lovely song and melodious voice. A graceful combination. With all good wishes to you and your family. ALLAH BLESS YOU ALL.

Geeta Latte:
Happy Birthday to you, Mr Bunty 🎂💐

Bunty Thakur:
I'm priveleged to be a part of this group. Thank you, everyone.

Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Bunty-ji.