A VERY ‘ISSPESHAL’ PERFORMANCE
Hindustan Times Friday Jam, the biggest celebration of music that brings in the best singers and musicians across genres, witnessed an ‘isspeshal’ evening, filled with heart-rending melodies and inspiring role models. The fifth season of Friday Jam ended with a finale by the Brooke Bond Red Label ‘Isspeshal’ 6-Pack Band
2.0, which features children with special needs breaking the many myths associated with autism. Prerna Agarwal and Paarth Padhye represented the band.
Paarth kick-started the show with a beautiful rendition of Channa Mereya and his rockstar-like performance was an immediate hit with the crowd that sang along with him. Prerna’s solo song, Lag Ja Gale was also top notch. It was followed by their duet performance on a reworked version of Dil To Pagal Hai during which Paarth showed off his dance moves, much to the delight of the audience. Singer Neha Kakkar collaborated with the Brooke Bond Red Label ‘Isspeshal’ 6-Pack Band 2.0 for the track The Isspeshal Yaari song. Neha wanted to celebrate the friendships of these special people. “When I was first introduced to the band, I couldn’t believe the talent that I saw. They are such sweet kids. In the few hours that I spent with them, all I remember was being happy. I wish our whole world was filled with isspeshal friends like these, and then it would certainly be a much better place,” said Neha after her performance with Paarth and Prerna.
Paarth, who has been training in music for the last two years, loves to perform in front of huge crowds and says he always enjoys such events. “I love music. I really enjoy doing it,” said the 15-year-old. His mother, Namita Padhye added that she always gets emotional when she sees Paarth perform on stage. “I can’t express this in words. I feel overwhelmed every time he gets on the stage to perform. He likes performing on stage as he loves being the centre of attention,” she said.
For Prerna, music is something which gives her inner peace and happiness. “Music gives peace and tranquility to everyone. I am training in music for the past two years. And, I am very excited to be performing with Neha ma’am,” she said. She was accompanied by her mother Sunita, who said she will always support her daughter’s musical journey. “I feel very happy and proud to see Prerna on stage,” she added.
Be it speaking up for inclusion of transgenders into the mainstream society or singing the song of acceptance for people with dwarfism, Brooke Bond Red label has always been about breaking barriers. This time around, championing the cause of people with special needs showcases Brooke Bond Red Label tea’s firm resolve to make the world a more accepting place. Shiva Krishnamurthy, general manager, beverages, Hindustan Unilever, said “Brooke Bond Red Label is delighted to take its inclusiveness message further with a live performance by our 6 Pack Band 2.0 members. We see this as yet another occasion to urge people to drop their prejudices, be more accepting and make the world an inclusive place.”
Ashish Patil, head of Y-Films — the youth wing of Yash Raj Films and the one who conceptualised the band, added, “Y-Films has always created content that does more than just entertain. Be it for gender equality, LGBTQ support or sex education, we’ve been at the forefront in getting these important messages across in the most fun manner. With the 6-Pack Band 2.0 we really hope to show everyone how these kids are the missing puzzle pieces this world needs to complete itself.”