Once, “the Nightingale of St. Andrews” and today's desh ki awaaz, our Indian Idol 5, Hyderabadi Sreeram Chandra visited his alma mater, St. Andrews High School, Bowenpally recently. That day the school witnessed almost full attendance, the students and teachers alike were eagerly awaiting his arrival. Sreeram was welcomed by boisterous cheers, whistles and claps as he strode through the corridors to meet the students. He thanked everybody for voting for him and making him win.
To relive the good old times he joined the choir to sing a hymn and the school anthem. Then he went to his first ever choir master Noel C.D. Aiman and hugged him and thanked him for being a great support. Sreeram on being asked, sang A.R.Rehman's “Vande mataram” and was joined by all the students. Then he said, “I'm glad and feel lucky to have studied in St. Andrews. This is where I discovered myself. The 10 years you spend at the school are the most important and beautiful years of your life. At home it was mom and at school, the teachers, always respect and obey them, don't ever trouble them.”
Best time
“I was a good enough student, not a brilliant one and not a very naughty kid either and I liked all the subjects, though was brilliant at music. I was an all rounder. I used to be a part of all music programmes and being a part of the choir used to sing in church.”
Sreeram greeted all his teachers with hugs and received their wishes for the future, one of the teachers said, “I'm so happy for you, we all sent you loads of votes, we were also as tense as you might have been before the declaration of the result.”
Later, Molini, his Std. VI class teacher met him and said she was elated to see him back at school, this time with laurels. Teachers Jayalakshmi, Subbalakshmi, Nirmala and the others all agreed that Sreeram was a quiet, humble and an obedient boy. Mr. Noel said, “He was a very devoted and down to earth student, an absolute pleasure to teach.”
The children had competed in sending votes to their favourite singer, one said, “I sent 102 votes” another one said, “I sent 128 votes.” Vatsala, a Std. VI girl said, “He asked us to follow our dreams, our passion and become great persons.”
Ankit, a Std. X student said, “we are all proud as Sreeram was an Andrewite, we will make our school proud.” Rachel, a Std. V student exclaimed, “I'm passionate about music and will definitely be the Indian Idol 10.”
