NEW YEAR’S EVE AND ADAM.............
2009 is a stone’s throw away and since we have decided that no terror threat is going to dampen our Surti spirits, its party time folks!
Celebrating the New Year’s Eve is a custom that Surtis have been following since long now. In the late 70’s there were parties held at home by married couples, with home cooked surti food. These had the crème de la crème of surti socialites swinging away in silk maxis to the Abba’s Dancing Queen, Super Trouper or The Beatles best on the gramophoneJagjit Chitra ghazals were played too. Some migrants, mostly of the officer crowd, would have pretty wives, elegantly dressed in sarees swaying a romantic waltz with their husbands.
Mid eighties saw an entire generation of youngsters who were fortunate enough to watch and imitate the style of Madonna, Wham, Michael Jackson on Doordarshan’s ‘Pop stars’. Disco parties were then organised at places like Shree apartment hall and upcoming bunglows,where youngsters set up their own music systems and played out cassettes of recorded English music to full blast. Denim was the dress code. Snacks like samosas from Kailash, Rasna sherbet and Khaman would be laid out at a table in the corner. Friends shared the expense.
Then came the nineties, Surat had its very own band ‘Phoenix’.Surat’s only rock star, the late and very handsome Rajiv Desai was its lead singer, with Aakar Patel[now in Mumbai media] at the guitar and Matu who dazzled at the drums. These were the guys who brought in Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd Jethro Tull, and The Who and rocked the parties. Making guys and gals in baggie pants and t-shirts feel the music. From the mid 90’s, some restaurants went all out to please the crowds with private bashes. Fancy strobe lights, wooden dance floors and professional music systems got included. Food spread boasted of veg and non veg hors’de vours and desserts as well.
The 21st century brought along with it state of the art music systems and D.J’s belting out popular hinglish numbers with trance beats. Farm houses, are converted to party venues now. Whether its Brian Hylands evergreen,’itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini ‘or ‘mauja hi mauja’, the Surtis will be swinging to global tunes this year. Thai and Mexican cuisine will be served, with bar tenders from Mumbai shaking mock tails. Surtis will shop especially for the occasion and visit saloons for a hair do. The colours for this season are aubergine, gold and the usual, black. Some will travel to Daman, Goa, and Mumbai to officially celebrate in ‘high spirits’.
In case you are not a dancer, here are some easy to follow, original Surti moves, try them out now!
1. Kotsafil’’s Kaipo Che-Pretend you are flying a kite and have a mock tangle while you swing your knees in and out ,without lifting your feet.
2.Salabatpura’s swing-Roll your hands around like binding a bobbin and clap to the beat of three while you take two steps to the right and hopscotch back ,repeat to the left.
3. Parle Point’s Pretence-Stand in one place and only shift your shoulders and abdomen to the beat twice to the right twice to left, swing head in the motion of saying no as you move, right hand up with fore finger pointed.
4. Maachi waad mania-Put both hands up and alternate actions to bless the world and change light bulbs, while hips hop to right and left.
5. Golwaad’s gyrations-Put wacko jacko to shame as you belt out pelvic thrusts to the beat of one, two, in, out. Cup hands to resemble snakes that sting the air.
So there, now that you have had the lessons, what are you waiting for dearies? Doesn’t matter if you spend it grooving to the F.M at home, Aaja nachle! It’s the best method to express love, happiness and fun. Have a funtastic 2009!
TAPI TOWN TATTLE-What did the BCCI instruct the Indian cricket team? No Pakking!