Bharath Engineering College's Light Music Troupe - 1986 -90

Passion of the small music team, we had formed in the second year of the institution itself (1986), flared up when we were sanctioned a complete set of music instruments - a drum set, a triple congos, tabla, keyboards, guitars etc. Principal Thiyagarajan sanctioned a princely sum of, I think, Rs. 15,000/-, which was indeed substantial then.

Roamed around and bought our instruments at Shruthi Musical, Madras Musicals, Burma Bazaar etc. The practice started at its earnest and Mechanical department's lab sheds - Materials Testing Lab and the fever pitch went up when the rookie team had won second prize in the light music competition in Madras Veterinary College's intercollege festival.

Apart from that the team had won prizes in MIT, Chromepet, Madras University and Stanley Medical College and particpated in as many as 10 competitions.

Following are the team members:

1. Mr. Suresh Bhaskar - Trainer and Co-ordinator, Lecturer - Electrical Engineering (The chain smoking Suresh Bhaskar is a good guitarist and vocalist too. His fervor for melody numbers and his skill in convincing us to take it up and train, I believe had our prizes)
2. Vanamaali - Percussions - Drums
3. I.B. Saravanan (Me) - Percussions - Triple Congos and Tabla
4. Samson - Rhythm guitar
5. Vinu Kuruvilla - Lead Guitar
6. Molly Chacko - Base Guitar
7. Prabhakar - Violin
8. Arun - Keyboards
9. Rajesh - Male Vocal
10. Bharathi - Female Vocal

Our main competition songs are the first five and the remaining are meant for our own colleges fests, gatherings and new year eves etc:

1. Raja Raja Cholan Naan – Rettaivaal Kuruvi
2. Ponmaanai Theduthe – Aduthaathu Albert
3. Mandram vantha thendralukku – mouna raagam
4. Rojappoo aadi vanthatho – agni natchatram
5. Singaara pennoruthi – oruvar vazhum aalayam
6. Naa maange sonaa chandhi – bobby
7. Vedhaalam vandhirukkudu – soorasamharam
8. Aadum neram idhudhan – soorasamharam
9. Kaadhal rajyam enadhu – mannavan vandhaanadi
10. Thaalattudhe vaanam – kadal meengal
11. Chella kiligalaam palliyilae – enga maama

12. Ennai theriyuma, naan sirithu – (old MGR song)

13. Jaane Jaan Thoondhuthaa Fir