Nostalgia: Old Xavierites go down memory lane in Ahmedabad

TOXA, The Old Xavierite Association, organised for the second time an evening dedicated to the Old Xavierites of Ahmedabad which was for the Xavierites and by the Xavierites. The event kicked off at 7:00 pm and ended at 10:00 late evening with participation of Ex-Xavierites in events such as song, dance, mime and mimicry.

Donald Marks, founder member of TOXA, associated with it for more than 30 years, said, "This event is a revival of the talent evening which used to happen in the early 60s and we're also doing it in memory of Patrick Marks, a renowned musician in India and America." He added, "We did the event last year and it was very successful, hence we decided to do it every year. I have even donated a rotating trophy which will be given to winners of the Xavier's Culfest event called 'voice of Xavier's male and female." Naved Siddiqui, executive committee member of TOXA said, "We're a trust and want more and more Xavierites to join our trust and that's one reason why we're doing an event like this to motivate them. We want the alumni to join the TOXA."

Thousands of people present at the event cheered the ex-Xavierites who proceeded on stage to sing their favourite old numbers from the 60s. Priyanka Korde, a 2006 pass-out currently pursuing her masters in social work who performed the mime said, "It feels awesome to make a comeback on this stage. We just performed once here and so performing again just feels great. It brings back old memories."

She said, "We performed the mime after almost 3 years and it felt so different in terms of the crowd that was present at the occasion, our juniors and seniors were absent this time."

Professor Shuchita Mehta, a 1977 pass out and Head of Sanskrit Dept, Xavier's who sang an old number said, "In those years we used to have an orchestra from Navin Gajjar and Patrick Marks. The songs used to be melodious and mostly from the 60s. The talent evening used to take place in Tagore Hall and Town Hall."