GECs
Luciano Pavarotti shares his thoughts on Talk Asia
Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
Saturday, December 24 at 09:30am, 20:00hrs and 2230
Sunday, December 25 at 06:00am, 17:00hrs and 20:30hrs (replays)
Monday, December 26 at 09:00am (replays)
After 44 years as one of the world’s best known voices, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti is shortly to retire. As part of his final international tour, he spoke with TALK ASIA’s Lorraine Hahn in Hong Kong about his career to date and the discipline he still exercises to this day.
“Right before I perform, it’s better you don’t come close to me. I’m tell you, I’m terrible! I’m nervous! I insult myself and say ‘Why have you done this profession if you have to suffer so much?’ And I insult myself and so and so and so…until I put one foot on the stage and I feel the atmosphere and I feel the music and the audience and the composer and the conductor and everything disappears to give place to another person,” Pavarotti says.
He is modest when asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind. “There’s so many tenors my dear! It’s not true that there are no tenors. There are so many! And (their success) depends on (their unique) personality. But (its) not (about) following me; it’s not a question of following. It will be somebody who is going to be himself or herself, if it’s a lady. It’s not “I’m a copy of…the new Callas or the new…” No, that doesn’t exist.”
Even on the cusp of retirement, Pavarotti says there are still places that he’d like to visit.
“(There are) Many! If you have to express a desire, I would like to sing in India, in Egypt, places that I wasn’t able to go before,” he says. But as far as naming a favorite city is concerned, the famous tenor declines to name any names. “I was very lucky like I told you before. And every place is beautiful.”
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
