11th song : Thandi hawa ye...

Piyush Pandya and Manohar Vaidya.

chand khila : Piyush Pandya

Recently we were talking about the initial days of our waiting in Parimal Garden for players to come and join the club. One Sunday this scientist like person came and introduced himself as Piyush Pandya teaching microbiology in one of the oldest colleges of the country and took out a very old three folded harmonica, and played a very lovely song " piyu bole piya bole". As one of the trustees of the club he has taken up a great responsibility of representing the team on stage.

He writes....

"Harmonica is the first instrument I fell in love with, at the age of 5! Played upto the age of 27,believing that I was very good!!!!!! Lost touch gradually as got married, had children, became busier with growing responsibilities, etc. Played at college and public performances. Apart from Harmonica, also played Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo, Harmonium, Accordion,etc, without bothering for the agony of the audience! Picked up Harmonica again in the elite company of the champions like Manohar Vaidya and Nachiketa Desai, with solid support of Tapan Bhatt, the driving force behind all the members of Harmonica club of Gujarat. I Teach Microbiology at local college, with the charge of Principalship as well."

Chand khila...

Artist's Delight

Artist Navin Suchak uses his sketch book to capture delightful moments of his life. On an evening stroll at Ahmedabad's central park, the Law Garden, last Sunday, he chanced upon the group of harmonica players which has made it a practice to play in public gardens in an effort to revive this handy musical instrument. Navin Suchak was particularly fascinated by Dr. Naresh Khandwala and Professor Piyush Pandya playing harmonica before an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers. Here is how the artist captured the spirit:

Network Expands

Thanks to the live talk show on Radio Mirchi, many new members joined the Harmonica Club of Gujarat this Sunday morning at the Vastrapur Lake garden. It was heartening to note that among the new members were young boys and girls in their teens. While a couple of them played fairly well, some of them had come with the desire to learn from the senior players.

A few of the senior members played some very popular numbers from Hindi films of the 50s and 60s. Unfortunately, in the absence of club coordinator Tapan Bhatt, who usually records the event on his mobile phone, we could not capture the video and audio of today's rendition.

After everyone dispersed, Prof. Piyush Pandya, invited Manohar Vaidya and me to his home. The Pandya's are a musical family. Both his wife and mother are very good singers. After a sumptuous breakfast comprising of upama and tea, we requested Manohar Vaidya to play some old numbers. While the professor's seventy-year-old mother nodded her head in appreciation, his wife hummed along.

Interestingly, it was their common interest in music that brought the professor and his wife together before their marriage.

Indeed, music binds the souls.

Piyush Pandya

Played harmonica, mandolin, flute as well as accordion and performed on stage both as an amateur and as professional. Left harmonica playing about 30 years ago and has picked up only last month.Teaches Microbiology at Gujarat College, one of the oldest colleges(125 years) in the country.

Piyush Pandya playing Piyu Bole, Piya Bole from the film Parineeta.