Bangalore, November 12, 2001
 

It was indeed a glorious birthday bash for this prodigy of India's Silicon Valley. Amid good wishes from the 800 plus Sonata family and their loved ones, Sonata Software turned 15.

 

Named "Harmony 2001", the daylong birthday party was a day out for the employees. The day started with children's fancy dress. Young ones, not just one or two, but 37 in all, walked down the stage as Cinderellas, Calvin who came alone because Hobbes was sleeping. There was enough desi representation too, with Lord Shiva, Shankuntala.

 

Then came the young Sonatians, enthralling the crowd with a scintillating cultural programme. They danced to the popular numbers "Koye kahe, kehata rahain - the hit Dil Chahata Hai number and Piya Piya O Piya Piya (form the film Har Dil Jo Pyar Karaga). A scrumptious lunch was served at 1 PM. The crowd enjoyed every mouthful of the 17-course meal.

Post lunch Sonatians were engrossed in a play titled "All The Best". The play, staged by the "Guru Institute of Hubli", portrays the theme of making handicapped people good citizens. Originally written by Devendra Prem in Oriya, Prahlad Sirdeshpande translated the play to Hindi.

 

If you are under the impression that the play was yet another "social message play", you are mistaken. The three handicapped, one blind, one deaf and one dumb living together and falling for the same girl, set the audience roaring with laughter from the very beginning. Well scripted and every minute detail taken care of, the play had enough twists and turns that to keep the audience glued to the play and communicate the message "handicapped people do not need sympathy, what they need is a helping hand and a loving heart."

 

This day also marked the culmination of a month-long celebration at Sonata, where employees took part in games, antakshri, singing, Chess, Football and cricket. Prizes were given away to the winners. This is the time of year when Sonatians receive their laurels for the best efforts put in their professional lives.

 

Going by the general mood of the day, B Ramaswamy, President and Managing Director, Sonata Software Ltd. said, "This is the time of year Sonatians & their families come together and feel that they are the members of the larger Sonata family. We also see this as an occasion to recognize the efforts of our employees and provide an opportunity for the employees to nurture their talents."

 

The event was held at St. Johns auditorium, Koramangala.