Antakshari After a While

 It's been a while since I participated in the game of songs we call Antakshari. Usually played with Hindi film songs, because most people would know a few, and can participate. Quite a successful attempt, as it went on for a hour or so, and we did not run out of songs, though it took some effort to remember them on the spot. You are supposed to do this from memory, not by Googling them. Pictorial evidence-

This was the party of 4- Rimjhim, Dheeraj, Prarthana and me.

For energy during the Antakshari, we had some special chai made by Dheeraj. Before, we had some excellent food that Rimjhim had turned out.

Rafiology or Songs by Rafi

 Though I am a bigger fan of Kishore Kumar, there are some superb songs sung by Mohammad Rafi that I like a lot. A sample-

1. Nazar na lag jaye kisi ki rahon mein.

2. Gulabi ankhen jo teri dekhi

3. Bekhudi mein sanam

4. Nisultana re pyar ka mausam aaya

5. O haseena zulfonwali jane jahaan

6. O mere shahe khuba o meri jane jhanaana

7. Main kahin kavi na ban jaun tere pyar mein ae Kavita

8. Baharon ki baraat aa gayi..

9. Jiya o jiya o jiya kuchh bol do..

10. Main zindagi ka saath nibhaata chala gaya..

Singing Along or Karaoke

 I pronounce it the Japanese way- confirmed it from a couple of online sources. It is a mic on which pre-recorded songs exist, and you connect it to a TV for amplifying the sound and also display the lyrics which you can sing, while the music plays. 

It's a great party tool, and I used it a lot while I was in Nagpur. Introduced a few colleagues to it to, and they took to it. Use it occasionally even now, as my family is into some singing of Hindi tunes from films. In our childhood, the popular game of Antakshari was played every chance we got, and that required no equipment. You just sang a couple of lines, and someone else continued. 

It's easier with the karaoke mic, as the lyrics are visible, and the music plays along. There is a visual clue to guide you in the pace of singing, and there are a few variations possible. A song book tells you which songs are available, with their number, to select one to sing. I have managed to make quite a few people sing with it, who otherwise wouldn't.

A great invention, popularised by the Japanese and Koreans, who have a lot of bars using it. In India, I have seen a few in Goa.