Bandra Zonals: Seven decades of community talent and culture

Seasoned 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. “They made better people of us by honing our talent, teaching us teamwork, community, and effective communication,” 
he points out.

The Zonal competition platforms performers across age groups (left), in diverse genres of music, dance, and dramatics (right).  Pics Courtesy/Rhythmnroots

Conductor Blossom Mendonca, of the Living Voices Choir, was four-years-old when she first participated in the zonals for St Andrew’s, and later for St Peter’s Church in Bandra. “I won the cup for vocals below eight-years-old,” she beams over a phone call. A regular participant, Mendonca also began her conducting journey at the zonals for the choir competition. “The Living Voices choir itself was an offshoot of the West Zone choir. It was serious competition in the choir segment,” she recalls.

Tellis doubles down, “Of 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 forward,” he elaborates.

A young Mendonca with her trophy for the West Zone in 1978; (right) Blossom Mendonca

Unique to Bandra

The 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. “We 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 there,” she says.
 
Now 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 Rohira.

Brian Tellis, Terence Lewis and Dominique Cerejo

Tellis shares that the competition inspired participants to push the boundaries; some of it shaped future greats. “I 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 Singh,” he reveals. Mendonca remembers her mother, Blanche Viegas, tutoring children from across parishes.

Back to the future

Such platforms are key to nurture artistes, shares choreographer Terence Lewis. As a six-year-old in St Theresa’s in Bandra, Lewis vividly remembers his first break on stage as a singer at school. “I also danced to Brown Girl in The Ring by Boney M. It did wonders for my confidence,” he shares. This year, he will be at St Andrew’s Grounds showcasing a performance with his famed contemporary dance company.

To this end, the festival becomes an extension of the zonals. “It 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 inter-deanery competition across Mumbai,” 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 Andrew’s boy, Rakesh Maria.

Lewis adds, “An artist’s art has to give joy to others. It is important to have these platforms that encourage such creative and artistic dialogue.”

Time for another generation to set the stage alight.

ON February 6, 7, and 8; 5.30 pm onwards 
AT St Andrew’s High School Grounds, St Dominic Road, Bandra West. 
LOG ON TO thenommers.com (or at venue gate) 
ENTRY Rs 200 onwards

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