By Our Special Correspondent
Shillong: In yet another breakthrough, Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) will be singing in the opening episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 6, on Friday at 8:30 pm on SONY Television.
Amitabh Bachchan (Big B) normally called the badshah of Bollywood will be singing with the Choir on a medley of songs, which have been arranged by Neil Nongkynrih the founder and conductor of the SCC.
After his tryst with the Choir, Bachchan wrote in his blog, “By far the most delightful moment of the day was meeting and seeing the Shillong Choir, a young group of boys and girls from the North East, performing some wonderful renditions of … ahah .. cannot disclose all that just yet, songs. It was pretty ‘goose bumps’ material! Does anyone know why its called ‘goose bumps’??”
The Shillong Times caught up with Neil Nongkynrih and asked him what the experience was like to have Bachchan sing to his tune.
“My job was to do an arrangement of certain songs to fit with the theme of the show. Bachchan does a little duet with our very own Ibarisha Lyngdoh in the beginning of the medley and when he sang with the boys he blended so well that he sounded like one of them! He’s normally known for his deeper notes but this time he went along with my suggestions and sang on a higher pitch. It really sounded good,” said Neil.
Asked how he would define those moments, Neil says, “Very pleasant despite the tight schedule. Producers like Siddarth Basu made the whole experience very easy, but it was little things like going to Mr Bachchan’s house in the evening, talking to him on set about family and life in general which made it all so heart warming.
Talking about Big B’s personality Neil said Bachchan is easy going yet professional. He goes the second and third mile.
“The Choir members have invited him to Shillong. He really went out of his way with the song and hats off to him for being so com-pliable. And you know what, with a twinkle in his eye, he addressed me as Uncle Neil like the Choir members do. Maybe that should be how I should be addressed henceforth,” chuckles Neil
At the moment the Choir are in Mumbai. They are in the process of recording an album. They have quite a few shows in the horizon and some more television work in the next few weeks.
The Choir has been invited to sing at Asha Bhonsle’s 80th birthday celebrations on Wednesday.
Ibarisha herself has revamped one of Ms Bhonsle’s songs. There will be other performers as well from the industry who will join this celebration, informed Neil.