Since NP has now begun to regularly interact and I was browsing my files, I came upon two photographs from 1964 which I forwarded to NP & Vinod Pawa. These pictures feature Tilak (Tilli) Raj Pawa & Vijay, the latter was NP’s younger brother. (Please note the pictures are from Partap Grewal’s collection!!)
I received the following response from NP which I reproduce below since it would interest many to know about a talent that the Pawa Family nursed in School, became a lifelong passion. “Music is still a good part of my life and it keeps me going”
[click for full view of photos]
“Thank you for the photos. My brother Vijay was walking along side me for years until he passed away. Tilak on the other hand and Vinod Pawa were involved in my interest in music. Unfortunately Tilak has left us to take his place but deservingly in heaven. Around 1964, while I was in Japan for business training, the three of us got together with a Chinese friend (drummist) and a German fellow to play base and an American playing the lead guitar. The six of us for some reason called ourselves ‘The ‘Five Beat Tops’ and played at events and at a competition where we won a runners-up trophy. I guess Danny the American joined us after we had picked a name for our band. Tilak played the second lead on his guitar and I the rhythm. The three us brothers sang mostly Beatles’ songs and had a blast. Music is still a good part of my life and it keeps me going.
Thank you for your interest and friendship.
Sincerely,’
Np “
NP has just sent me additional pieces of music and the links below are included for your listening pleasure. Keep them coming NP ! We were and continue to be music lovers and a familiar voice is a very welcome pleasure. Thank YOU !!
I hope you will not mind me sharing my song books – therein with songs of love, heartbreaks, songs of interdependency and redemption. I hope in these dark days the pages will serve to provide some light.
Thank you for your mail.and the accompanying pieces of music.
Your modesty and your humility are unfailing hallmarks of your character. That is the way I remember you as do, I am sure, the others from those days at BCS. I can see those signs by the way you have fashioned your message. None of us will ever mind sharing your works!! Thank you.
What was a hobby has turned into a wonderful passion and that is obvious. The absence of professional equipment to support your endeavours is no loss for the manner you have brought out each piece. All the music, including your favourite, Elvis’s tunes, are compositions that are soft, soulful, intense and take you away from the turbulent world that surrounds us today. The range of offerings, and I mention this for the benefit of those who will listen to these compositions, include not only the more familiar ones like Eric Claption, Bee Gees but not often remembered names like Frankie Laine, Leonard Cohen, Richard Marx, EO Excell & John Newton. NP has dug deep into the music world to compile and render these songs.
Finally, it would not be quite the same thing listening to the original which is an obvious thought. That would mean physically fetching and searching for each piece. A bit of a fag but no great discomfort some would say. More importantly sung by a voice and a person we know so well gives the whole effort a soul, an enthusiasm that is a personification that is intimate and familiar. That is something you simply cannot replicate because you are one of a kind, NP. Thank you, again.
Do please stay in touch and it is a pleasure to hear from you.
Without your permission, which I take for granted, I am circulating this to a whole bunch of OCs and some music lovers who know and certainly remember you.
With my warmest regards
Sincerely
Vijay .
During School NP had a great voice -from the Choir and also some of the songs on stage at Irvin Hall
He has still got the same voice but more mellow and matured
Cheers
Sudhir
— sudhir kashyap
We grew up with many of these songs in the 1950s. I remember NP as an awesome singer with his base voice — just fantastic. Joe Joshi 1
Well Done NP , you were great then and still great now ….. your music with the accompanying Rivas house band was a big hit in those days …. it gave us all a great sense of freedom and entertainment ….. Jagtiani was another wiz kid , he could take a mug a tin can. A bucket and make them talk like drums Great percussion wizard You guys produced magic Sheer talent ….. remember it’s now or never ….. I still picture the relay batons That were used to produce the opening lines And the come September beat we all learned to hammer out on glasses, table tops , tin cans almost everything was used ….. Very talented and very entertaining fuckers ….. Thank you for the music 🎶 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Badal Singh
Hi Badal,
I am very happy to hear from you. It is comforting to know that you appreciated the songs and thank you for remembering ‘It’s now or never’. I still do this number sometimes when I visit the assisted living centers to entertain. Due to COVID it has been quite a while since I last did but replaced the personal appearance with videos instead. The hobby has become useful to bring some joy to the residence there especially when noticing the tapping along even of those who are living in diminished memories.
Thanks also to the never never forgotten Sudhir and Joe Joshi. Thank you for the cheering and your encouragement. At home my brothers Vinod and Pawan are lovingly propelling to keep me going.
Greatly appreciated. Np
Dear Vijay,
I am so overwhelmed with so much of your kindness and compassion. Your comments are meaning the world to me and raise literally my being. I am so happy that you have taken me into your confidence. Yes I would like to keep in touch and share music that are still coming my way. You are truly inspiring and we are so fortunate to have you navigate our lives and steps in the right directions. What a stepping stone – what a blessing.
