Sally sings Saawariya

When the performers take centre stage for the Old is Gold musical show at the Dorothy Winstone Centre in Auckland on May 30, one performer will stand out from the rest.

Auckland actress Sally Stockwell will become probably the only Kiwi to have ever sung in an Indian musical show in the country – and even that at a show which will feature some of the most memorable hits from a bygone era.

The Old is Gold Part III, organized by Amit Sengupta’s Mohammed Rafi Academy of Music in Mt Roskill, is shaping up to be a treasure trove of golden melodies from Indian movies from the 1930s to 80s.

And Sally has been tasked with singing Mohe Bhool Gaye Saawariya from the 1952 hit film Baiju Bawra, one of the all-time greats of Indian cinema. Its original singer is Lata Mangeskar.

Although a bit nervous about her singing debut on the Indian stage, the Christchurch-born actress sees it as another great opportunity to add another feature to her cap of showbiz achievements.

“I am a bit nervous, but Amitji has said that to further learn the language and the music, singing on stage will help me gain confidence,” said Sally who has been learning Indian music with Sengupta, an ardent disciple of the legendary Mohammed Rafi.

Sally, who now lives in Titirangi, said she had always been drawn to world music, and had a lot of Kiwi friends who sang European songs which contained a touch of another culture.

“So, although I have been generally influenced by friends, I fell in love with the freedom, the spirit and the heart of Indian music,” Sally told Sandesh.

“The tone and quality is just so beautiful,” said Sally who has featured on many of the top New Zealand soaps including Insider’s Guide to Happiness, Shortland Street and more recently Outrageous Fortune.

She is now doing a New Zealand film, After the Waterfall, where she stars opposite Anthony Starr of the Outrageous Fortune fame. After the Waterfall is being filmed in Piha. She also teaches voice and theatre, has written a play, and sings in a newly formed band called Ghosty Head.

For now, Sally has bought her first Indian outfit to wear at the show. “It’s really beautiful,” she gushes.

Sally has been practising for about six months and sounded confident at a recent rehearsal with Sengupta, her guru.

“The challenge will be to not to feel like a tourist among the audience – I’m looking forward to it, too.”