MILPITAS, CA: Harmony, melody, rhythm, humor and nostalgia were some of the key ingredients of a beautiful and melodious evening as the Melodians set out to pay a tribute to Bollywood's legendary composer from the golden age of Hindi film music- the late Omkar Prasad Nayyar (1926-2007).

The newly formed group -- Melodians -- stood true to their name and unfolded one melodic golden hit after another to an enthralled audience of 450 the evening of April 4, at on the Mallavalli auditorium at the India Community Center in Milpitas, California.

The musical tribute- 'Phir Miloge Kabhi' was appropriately named after one of O P Nayyar's evergreen hits that conveys appropriately what the heart yearns to say and what the Melodians hope for their future musical endeavors.

The show was capably compered by Seema Karnik who had the audience in splits with her wit and slapstick demeanor. She adeptly carried the audience back in time bringing back nostalgic memories about a multitude of songs, all the while entertaining them with her witty comments interspersed in between the narration and the songs.

Her narration included interesting tidbits about O. P. Nayyar's music, his life and his career- the horse beat rhythm, the four part compositions, his principled and disciplined life, his success despite lack of professional music training, being the first composer to command a renumeration of one lakh rupees in those days, and so on.

The singers were well known Bay Area singers who have been entertaining the audience with their melodious voices at events in and around the Bay Area. Sangeeta Rege, an active volunteer at ICC's karaoke club was one of the lead singers and initiator of the musical effort.

She mesmerized the crowd with her melodious voice and graceful singing with such melodies as 'Aaiye Meherbaan', 'Balma Khuli Hawa Mein', 'Yahi Who Jagah Hai', 'Piya Piya Piya', 'Isharon Isharon Mein', 'Babuji Dheere Chalna', and 'Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein'.One of the lead singers, Abhay Mannur rendered soulful as well as foot tapping numbers such as 'Jawaaniyan Yeh Mast Mast', 'Pukarta Chala Hoon Main', 'Lakhon Hain Yahan Dilwale', 'Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein' and 'Deewana Hua Baadal'.

He brought the house down with his remarkable rendition of 'Surma Mera Niraala' and sang it to the cheering audience a second time.Amit Shenoy, the other lead singer beautifully rendered 'Dil Ki Awaaz Bhi Sun', 'Phir Miloge Kabhi', 'Aap Ke Haseen Rukh Pe' and the foot tapping number 'Dekh Kasam Se'.

Mihika Paranjpe charmingly sang playful hits such as 'Zara Haule Haule Chalo', 'Mera Naam Hai Chin Chin Chu', 'Dekh Kasam Se' and the finale song 'Kajra Mohabbat Wala' with Seema Karnik.In addition to being an entertaining compere, Seema Karnik was also an entertaining singer, with impressive renditions of 'Deewana Hua Baadal', 'Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka', 'E Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Kajra Mohabbat Wala' with Mihika.Manohar Bijor, an active volunteer of the karaoke club at the India Community Center did a soulful rendition of 'Preetam Aan Milo', a non-film song sung by C H Atma and written by O.P.Nayyar's first wife Saroj Mohini, which launched "OP" into the big league of Bollywood composers, while another karaoke club member and winner of last year's Aap Ki Pasand contest, Krishnan Subramanian had the audience clapping to his rendition of 'Lakhon Hain Nigaah Mein', a Mohammad Rafi song from 'Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon'.

Interestingly, Subhash Kulkarni, a well know keyboard player and Bay Area's musical treasure, did a melodious rendition of 'Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein' in a duet with Sangeeta.Able musical support was provided by well known Bay Area musicians- Subhash Kulkarni and Vikas Salvi on keyboards, Satish Gadagkar on violin, Melvin Gerold on lead guitar, Chanel Columbas on bass guitar, Surjit Singh Bawa on tabla, Ijaz Syed on dholak, with sound engineering by Atul Vaidya.Sharad Dadbhawala along with other karaoke club team members of the club was acknowledged for his support for the event, Vishnu Sharma for his overall support, as well as Insite Vision, Happy Tours, Val Ragu and Joel Ferill's for sponsorship of the event.