...our Dream Debut

Saturday, November 17th 2007. San Mateo Center for Performing Arts was filled with around 500 people, eager to watch "Colors of India" put together by the San Mateo High School Indian Association.

The time was around 7:50pm and as soon as Drumstix (aka 'Aavakai') was introduced by Sindhu Gollamudi, curtains opened and the band went live with the thumping song "Fanaa" from Yuva, followed by the mellifluous "Zaraa zaraa" from Rehna hai tere dil mein by Swathi. Sriphani with relentless energy on the handsonic played the beats much alike the original score.

After a short 10 minute break, the band came back alive with a crowd puller, "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Dil Se. People came on to the stage to start dancing to this foot-tapping number by Surya and Yamini. Krishna (Bass guitar, with a contagious smile) and Praveen (Lead guitar) danced on the stage spreading the energy across the stage.

Srikanth, Narayana and Yamini stole the hearts of many there with their jugalbandi style performance of "Kajra re" from Bunty Aur Babli.

Srinivas (Tabla) and Hymanand (Tavil/Dolu) played the mysterious beats of Kajra re with such ease and enthusiasm. The show ended with the high energy crowd puller "Sankar Dada MBBS" from the Munna Bhai of AP, dubbed as Sankar Dada. Narayana kept the energy high throughout the song and his rendition of "Em manda..." was no short of Chiru himself.

Overall, it was a fantastic dream debut show. Many from the audience came and congratulated the team after the show. Encouraging comments like, 'we will definitely be there for your next show' charged us for our next show!!! Thank you to all those that attended and cheered us at our Debut concert.

As part of this show, the San Mateo High School association was able to raise $11,000 for Sankara Eye Foundation. Aavakai team wishes Sankara Eye best wishes.