What do Czarina founder Sheila James, homemaker Annie Geevarghese, and politician M.K. Muneer have in common? The answer is Trivandrum Music Club (TMC). Since February last year, every month, a group of entrepreneurs, doctors, homemakers and IT professionals in the city spend an evening together singing with a live orchestra. On February 18, TMC will celebrate its first anniversary. The club was founded after a meeting between Sheila and her friend Paul Joseph. “Although I was always passionate about music, it was after participating in the event CEOs Croon for Kerala Kids (CCKK) that I realised how interesting the process of singing with a live orchestra is,” says Sheila. Inspired by the experience, she brainstormed with Paul to form a group of people who enjoy music and singing. The singers meet once every month for a musical evening, often at the Trivandrum Tennis Club. Members learn a song and sing it during the session. On song “Although there are a few really good singers, most of us are amateurs. But we have professional instrumentalists for our orchestra,” explains Sheila. She is gung-ho about the success of the club and what it has done to her personally. “My singing as well as my confidence have improved a lot. Performing with a live orchestra means you have to keep several aspects in mind, which has made me sharper,” she adds. Inspired by the club and its activities, Sheila has started learning Carnatic music to hone her musical skills. In the meantime, her cousin Annie is happy to be part of a group that has revitalised her love for music and singing. “My kids are pleasantly surprised to find that I can sing well. Now they suggest songs that I should listen to and learn. I am constantly practising with karaoke,” she says. Earlier she used to sing with groups. Coming together However, for Biju Nair, an IT professional, it is the prospect of a warm get-together that is the major attraction of the club. “I love singing and have sung on stage all through school and college. So it is great to be part of such a team. You get to learn a lot by watching others sing. But more than that, the club is a wonderful way to spend an evening with my friends,” he says. Many in TMC are professionals leading hectic lives and for most of them the third Saturday of the month, usually the day of the meeting, is a welcome break. “It is a full-day programme with rehearsals starting in the morning and I take the whole day off. We have a great time even during the rehearsals as we get suggestions from other members. As it is a closed group, it is like a family and that makes it even better,” says diabetologist Arun Shankar, another active member. As a person who has always wanted to be a singer, the TMC is helping him reclaim a lost dream. Well-known personalities too have sung for the club and some of them have been made honorary members. “Muneer sir (MLA M. K. Muneer) is one of our well-wishers and a wonderful singer. He has attended our sessions whenever he is free,” adds Sheila. Sub-collector Divya S. Iyer is another honorary member of TMC. There is a registration as well as a monthly fee. The expenses of the club, mainly the remuneration for the orchestra, are met with contributions from the members. Contact: 9387721322.

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