Established in 1917, Bai MN Gamadia Girls High School celebrated its centenary year, on 23rd July 2016 at the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh Mandir, with a grand fund raiser titled ‘Musical Melodies’. The eve started with a prize distribution programme where a hundred and six students were awarded merit cards and cash prizes for excelling in various categories, including overall excellence, topping the class, scoring the highest marks in various subjects and general proficiency. The Chief Guests for the function, Mr. and Mrs. Gala, were the parents of the Class ten topper. Along with Principal Zarin Rabadi, the other eminent guests present were Mr. and Mrs. Bilimoria, Mr. and Mrs. Commissariat and Jimmy Khan.

The anchor for the musical show, Ruzbeh, welcomed everyone and introduced the singer and performer for the evening, Viraf Daruwalla, as the in-house ‘Indian Music’ school teacher and member of the Cine Singers Association having sung under a number of famous Bollywood composers including the musical musical maestro, RD Burman. Viraf started off with a treat of soulful golden oldies in the first half and moved on to exciting, peppy and foot-tapping numbers in the second half, greatly entertaining the audience.

Host Ruzbeh sang the popular track ‘Gulabi Ankhein Jo Teri Dekhi’ which was cheered on by all the youngsters in the crowd. Other songs sung by Viraf Daruwalla included ‘Tune Abhi Dekha Naahi’, and ‘Nakhre Wali’, to name a few. Viraf Daruwalla’s voice was a delight to listen to and Ruzbeh had the crowds eating out of his hands with a fabulous rendition of jokes, shayaris and rapid fire questions, in addition to his singing.

It was an enjoyable eve for all – parents, students and ex-students and the other guests. The hard work put in over the last month paid off as the event was a grand success. The Principal of Gamadia School, Zarin Rabadi told Parsi Times “Due to the efforts of my team especially Mrs. Ramaiya, our senior ex-teacher, and the support from ex-students, the response for the programme has been overwhelming. The spontaneous dances and requests for encore during the show stand as testimony. People may forget what they hear or what they see, but they will never forget how they feel. To take things forward, we have planned a ‘Food Fiesta’ and ‘Dandiya Ras’ in December 2016.”

The event concluded with host Ruzbeh giving the vote of thanks.