Pitter-patter of rain outside and tittle-tattle punctuated by the clinking of glasses inside would have been the essence of a dinner party hosted at Hyatt Regency Kolkata recently. But the host, Arvind Sukhani, the honorary consul of Lithuania, had also kept a karaoke set ready. That meant as the evening rolled on, guests got busy with song selection, consultations with potential duet partners and finally, their performance on the mic.
The most serious performer was the Australian consul general Rowan Ainsworth who teamed up with her American counterpart Melinda Pavek. The two ladies belted out one chartbuster after another, starting with Rivers of Babylon, the 1979 Boney M classic.
The duo also ably performed a Japanese song they had picked during their respective postings in the land of the rising sun — Sukiyaki. “We have both lived in Japan, where we cut our teeth on karaoke and discovered a love of it. For me, singing is great for stress, helps breathing and relaxation, and is so much fun as well. From opera to jazz to pop, I love it all,” Ainsworth said, before going solo with To Sir, with Love, the song from the soundtrack of the eponymous 1967 film, starring Sidney Poitier.
At one point, Pavek picked this year’s red hot hit, Miley Cyrus’s Spotify history-making number Flowers, bringing the evening’s songlist up to date. “She (Miley) is said to have written this on the breakdown of her relationship with her ex-husband. I love everything to do with women’s empowerment,” she said.
US and Australia consuls general Melinda Pavek and Rowan Ainsworth belt out a number as hostess Sanyogita Sukhani looks on
Alliance Francaise du Bengale director Nicolas Facino walked in late with his wife Iryna Vikyrchak. And Ainsworth had a French song ready to welcome him: Soulman by Ben l’Oncle Soul. Facino, who turned out to be an able singer, was delighted to join in. “We host karaoke events regularly at Alliance,” he responded with a smile, on being complimented.
Later, he performed a solo in his mother-tongue — Emmenez-moi au bout de la terre (Take me to the end of the world). “This Charles Aznavour number is a travel song, on setting off to discover new cultures, new people. This is both for travellers and those who have a dream to travel. This was my father’s favourite song. He used to play it in the car when we travelled. The song brings back happy memories,” Facino later said.
(L-R) Alliance Francaise du Bengale director Nicolas Facino with his wife, poetess Iryna Vikyrchak. Alliance Francaise du Bengale director Nicolas Facino with his wife, poetess Iryna Vikyrchak
As for Ainsworth, she revealed plans to pick up a Bengali song to add to her global repertoire.
The evening’s host, Arvind Sukhani, too had a go at the mic later in the evening, singing Log kehte hai main sharaabi hoon, the Kishore Kumar song from the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Sharaabi. “Pairing wine with food is the done thing but pairing wine with mood is the theme for tonight’s celebration,” he said. The song indeed suited the evening’s mood as he was also serving aged single malts outside, in a specially furnished outdoor cigar lounge where smokers were being offered Cuban habanos and tandoor items were being served at live food stations.
“This is the third time I am hosting a karaoke night. It had started coincidentally last year when a music system was supplied by the venue authorities and my guests lapped it up,” said Sukhani. “Earlier, I would organise house parties, at one of which the then Japanese consul general Masayuki Taga had revealed his love for singing. That inspired me to tap the singing talents of my friends, including in the diplomatic fraternity, by hosting this event,” he added.