Bandra Zonals: Seven decades of community talent and culture

As the city grows into skyscraper silos and social circles shrink a few landmarks of community culture continue to thrive It was in 1953 that an annual talentcontest was instituted for the parish members of the St Andrewrsquos Church Over the next seven decades it evolved into one of the cityrsquos most popular cultural phenomenonsFun and professionalSeasoned radio broadcaster and author Brian Tellis learnt of the Bandra Zonals as a young boy For him the competitions are more than just a performance showcase ldquoThey made better people of us by honing our talent teaching us teamwork community and effective communicationrdquohe points outThe Zonal competition platforms performers across age groups left in diverse genres of music dance and dramatics right Pics CourtesyRhythmnrootsConductor Blossom Mendonca of the Living Voices Choir was fouryearsold when she first participated in the zonals for St Andrewrsquos and later for St Peterrsquos Church in Bandra ldquoI won the cup for vocals below eightyearsoldrdquo she beams over a phone call A regular participant Mendonca also began her conducting journey at the zonals for the choir competition ldquoThe Living Voices choir itself was an offshoot of the West Zone choir It was serious competition in the choir segmentrdquo she recallsTellis doubles down ldquoOf course it was It was a matter of immense pride The generation before us literally began it So in some way we felt obliged to carry it forwardrdquo he elaboratesA young Mendonca with her trophy for the West Zone in 1978 right Blossom MendoncaUnique to BandraThe experience was even a matter of envy for residents across Mumbai Growing up in Andheri singer Dominique Cerejo recalls travelling down to Bandra with her dad to watch zonal competitions ldquoWe would attend to just hear the singers As a kid who was away from the buzz it opened my eyes to the level of talent out thererdquo she saysNow a resident of Bandra the singer has already had her daughter participate in zonals Cerejo will also be part of the first edition of the Rhythm n Roots Festival this year with the musical production Live That Dream curated by Darren Das and Niloufer RohiraBrian Tellis Terence Lewis and Dominique CerejoTellis shares that the competition inspired participants to push the boundaries some of it shaped future greats ldquoI remember working in a play no lines mind you which was written and directed by theatre icons Imtiaz and Amjad Khan This was the year before Amjad became Gabbar Singhrdquo he reveals Mendonca remembers her mother Blanche Viegas tutoring children from across parishesBack to the futureSuch platforms are key to nurture artistes shares choreographer Terence Lewis As a sixyearold in St Theresarsquos in Bandra Lewis vividly remembers his first break on stage as a singer at school ldquoI also danced to Brown Girl in The Ring by Boney M It did wonders for my confidencerdquo he shares This year he will be at St Andrewrsquos Grounds showcasing a performance with his famed contemporary dance companyTo this end the festival becomes an extension of the zonals ldquoIt will not only celebrate the arts but also the people who have come out of this stage The idea is to nurture this into an interdeanery competition across Mumbairdquo notes Tellis Alongside food courts stalls at the school grounds the festival will see concerts and also honour Fr Joe Pereira and former Mumbai Police Commissioner and Andrewrsquos boy Rakesh MariaLewis adds ldquoAn artistrsquos art has to give joy to others It is important to have these platforms that encourage such creative and artistic dialoguerdquoTime for another generation to set the stage alightON February 6 7 and 8 530 pm onwardsAT St Andrewrsquos High School Grounds St Dominic Road Bandra WestLOG ON TO thenommerscom or at venue gateENTRY Rs 200 onwards