By Rahul Banerji
Friday, October 6 saw close to 40 members of the Air Force Central School’s Class of ‘80 flood into The Savoy, Mussoorie, for what would turn into a riot of music, fun, laughter and reminiscences for the next fun and laughter-filled 48 hours.
We came. From far and near, From as far as Australia and Canada and England and Singapore and the Nilgiris and Hyderabad, to as near as Chandigarh, Shimla and Delhi. All with one aim. All with one idea. To live, laugh, sing. Relive old memories. Create new ones. And boy, did we do so, or what?
Very quickly, the hallowed halls of the hoary Savoy, which the AFCS Class of 80 would haunt for the next two days would feel like the clock had turned back. To the days of the Luscious Lolas of Calcutta swinging their booties as the music maker from Mulshi stepped into party mode with the first strum of his magical guitar. It was a tempo that refused to drop, stop or fade.
Even though those 48 hours were a happy haze of hot tops, no tops and hot hits, Sudhanshuhad his finger on the pulse, High teas and gin highs set the stage for the musical marvel to strut his stuff, and boy, did he do just that, making us dance to his tune for four hours on a night shared with the stars and a medley of unmusical voices that joined in the flood of music flowing out of the Guitar Man.
“Who draws the crowd and plays so loud
Baby it’s the Guitar Man
Who’s gonna steal the show
You know, baby, it’s the Guitar Man
So, from the Guitar Man and his ever-loving voice that conjured up every song (and dance) of those past years –including Rafi Saab and Kishoreda (not our bearded wonder) – to the never-ending Conga line that made the dining hall shake at its foundations was just a hop and skip on a happy high of nostalgia and a well-stocked bar. Not to mention being “felt up” by more than a few of our very own Luscious Lolas.
Luscious Lolas 
Ladies – Soniyaa, Nammita, Nita, Nandita, Priya, Deepa, Ruchika, Rachna, Vaishali – you have no idea how much your presence was “appreciated” and enjoyed, LOL, but on a more serious note, this magical weekend was made even more special by your presence and it would not have been the same had you guys not taken the call to be a part of AFCS 2023. Seriously.
Anyway, all that was very far in the future on Thursday when the first of a flood of Mussoorie images began to emerge. Of the boys from the OC – Kishore, Vivek, Sharat and Dony – swanning it up against the backdrop of the 120-year-old hotel and its gardens and then suddenly popping up all decked up in aprons, along with our own Energizer Bunny, the indefatigable and ever-smiling Ravi Grover.
Without any input, the first thought was, “goddam,, are they dishwashing already?” Parties in past experience have ended in that exact fashion with managers swapping unpaid bills for hard work in the kitchen. But we need not have worried for as always, the ever-persevering OC had matters well in hand.
In a breather to the headlong rush of partying non-stop came an informative little film on the Savoy and its multi-hued history, and a conducted tour of the historic premises. There was also the much-anticipated goodie bag that in addition to Manish’s ever-present contribution included a rare, personalised touch in the form of a signed copy of “The Golden Years”, the latest offering from Mussoorie’s most famous living resident, Ruskin Bond. Just another inimitable touch from our very own Fab Four, the OC,
As each party drove into the waiting arms of Seemonti and her Savoy colleagues, it triggered a welcome that would set the tone through Friday’s festivities, the customary group snap in the Savoy’s glittering Grand Ballroom in signature jackets, Saturdays’ shenanigans around the fire (that included Amar banishing me to the smoker’s Sin Bin) and Sunday’s farewells.
And finally, for the one who stopped my breath for four straight years from 1975 to 1978, and who turned out to be the “chuppa rani” of AFCS 2023, this one is for you. “Badan pe sitarelapete hue, O jaan-e-tamanna kidhar ja rahi ho, Zara paas aao to chain aa jaaye.”
You guys are the best and make every memory special.
God bless AFCS Class of 1980, and long may we party!!!!
The Bash of 80 