A joyful night at Calcutta South Club’s Valentine’s evening, with The Telegraph

As twilight set in, the club lit up with romantic lights to guide one in and set the mood. Black-and-red themed seating arrangements were spread across the patio and the clay courts, with vibrant flowers gracing the sides, amplifying the aura of the day.

With soulful renditions of classic love songs from Bollywood and Hollywood alike, Mishtie had the crowd swaying along to the rhythm of love. 'They Long To Be (Close To You)' by The Carpenters, 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham! had the couples singing along. “My recommendations for a Valentine’s Day playlist will include 'Because I Love You' by Shakin’ Stevens, Stevie Wonder’s 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' and other classics!” said Mishtie.

Leaving the crowd mesmerised was guest and freelance singer Lorena Laurena Dhar with her powerful performance that had people begging for her to stay and perform another number. She performed songs like 'I Saw The Light' by Nathalie Makoma and more.

The energetic emcee of the night who kept everyone active and involved was Reshmi Bose and she brought a whole new spirit to the venue. A fun Valentine-themed trivia was hosted between breaks that kept the crowd engaged throughout. “There was such a great footfall, everybody had fun and enjoyed themselves. It was very interactive. Everybody was welcome to sing, participate, nobody was judged. Nobody wanted to leave! Everybody wanted to be merry!” said Reshmi.

Camellia Pal Banerjee spent her night close to the stage enjoying every number, grooving especially to the beats of 'Mamma Mia'. “It’s very nice! I’m really enjoying the music to be very very honest. Every day is Valentine’s Day for me!” she told The Telegraph.

Having been together for 26 years, Sharmin Mukerjea (left) and Jaidip Mukerjea returned to their second home, the Calcutta South Club, to spend a quiet and lovely Valentine’s Day. “It’s amazing to come back here, as always. Valentine’s Day is usually associated with a lover’s day in India but elsewhere, Valentine’s like an angel, you can spread the love anywhere! I spread the love to all the people I know,” said Sharmin. For Jaidip, Sharmin was his forever Valentine. “We don’t celebrate as much but both of us are still very much in love!” he smiled.

Pankaj Manot (left) and Shradha Hirjee celebrated their Valentine’s Day together and sweetly danced away into the night, bubbled up in their own moment. “I’m enjoying it for the first time in a long while,” laughed Shradha. Pankaj was happy to step out. “I think it’s really good that people are coming out. We’ve been together for most of the corona times and finally we’re out!” he added.

We couldn’t help but notice these high-school sweethearts, and Suravi and Pratik Thacker (right) doting on each other as they shuffled to the beats of 'Laila main Laila'. “It feels free to be out again, such a relief. We’ve been together half our lives, and we’re still here!” laughed Pratik.

No better way to end a night than to dance under the moonlight and these folks sure knew how to do it right.

The chilly evening was made warm by flavourful food comprising of Valentine’s Day specials such as Royal Hara Bhara Kebab, Chengdu Spring Rolls, Smoked Chicken, Fish Fingers and more, that had people lining up for second helpings.

“As Covid recedes,we at the Calcutta South Club are slowly returning to normal with our traditional social engagements. It kicked off with a fine evening of music and dance on Valentine’s Day following all Covid protocols. The evening was a glittering musical. A sporting gathering of over 125 members and their guests were swaying to the chirpy tunes of the Mystifying Mishtie in a three hour bash....” said Enrico Piperno, president, Calcutta South Club.