This Reunion of the 1981 batch was special in the way that most of the batchmates have retired after a long work journey, even some self-employed, and were looking forward to just unwinding!
The idea of a Reunion took shape when our batchmate Gopalaswamy invited everyone to his son’s wedding at Bangalore and coaxed everyone to take this opportunity to have a long-awaited REUNION. We then began in all earnestness to invite and cajole every batchmate (some through direct contact). The idea of mixing someone’s wedding with the batch reunion was novel, and therefore, we were quite apprehensive. But then, when 55 friends gladly agreed to participate in both events, we felt vindicated.
The venue selected by Mahishi, Gopal, Ravichander (Don), and comrade Vishwanathan, after considering many five-star resorts, was Pyramid Valley International, a spiritual resort with no alcohol and no non Veg food – last place for a reunion that anyone can think of. The positives PVI offered was just the thing we needed, and hence these constraints didn’t matter. This spiritual resort that is spread out in 40 acres of low-lying area between hills, endowed with water streams, a small manmade waterfall, and a sprawling trekking area in the surrounding hills, was just the appropriate place for the REUNION. Besides a 100-foot pyramidal structure for meditation, the facility boasts 66 tastefully done up luxury and Premium rooms and a very vast reception area, a large outdoor sit out called coconut grove, a big swimming pool etc., The rooms and other areas had raw bricks for the outer walls reminiscent of our dorms. It turned out to be a very good and suitable venue with personalized service. They even converted the entire dining area into a video conferencing hall to facilitate our program, where many batch mates joined online to share their life-altering experiences.
The program kicked in on the 5th of June 2025, with the delegates (classmates treated like heads of state) arriving from different cities. The reception team, Ajay & Monica, and Srini Mahishi & Shanta received each one of the classmates with a Mysore Jasmine garland and AARATHI. Such an affectionate reception, happening for the first time, moved the guests to no end. This was followed by meeting and greeting each other, along with lunch and check-in. A surprise element was a caricature session (where everyone’s caricature was made by an artist). Each classmate and their spouses had their caricatures done and took the same with them for posterity. The bonhomie and interactions continued post lunch and Evening Tea.
ICEBREAKER BEFORE THE WEDDING A brief ANTAKSHARI SESSION was organized at the coconut grove, where many good singers amongst the batchmates, viz., Natarajan (nattu) and S R Mohanti (monty), joined the singing group and regaled everyone.
The entire bunch of classmates, together with their spouses, got into the bus to the Panchavati marriage hall for the SANGEET ceremony of Gopal’s son. Drinks and Dance with music and Dinner followed. Don made it along with Hema despite the fractured leg!
On the 6th morning was the wedding, with the traditional South Indian feast. Pramod Kulkarni, who passed away just before this is being written, also attended, and seemed in good health, and his passing away was a great shock to all those who saw him there. In the afternoon, some of us joined the group for an hour guided meditation on Yoga Nidra. Excellent meditation venue – huge hall under a 100-foot-tall pyramid!
Then we had a post-lunch video conferencing session, organized wherein those mates who couldn’t make it to the reunion joined online – (many from the USA). LIFE EXPERIENCES, quite ably coordinated by Ajay Muttreja wherein everyone was encouraged to share their life-changing experiences of personal life that are beneficial for others. It turned out to be a wonderful and sentimental session. Some even broke down and were extremely happy to share their problems with classmates, including Sunil, who talked about his journey, Chhaya Venkataraman (who dispenses justice to Justice) sharing her learning from knee surgery – a looming disaster for many of us; Naga, about his sunny outlook, and Niraj Davar about his amazing diet plan. The session ended with everyone wanting YE DIL MAANGE MORE. The day ended with Musical Night at POOLSIDE with Mocktail & Gala Dinner, wherein everyone enjoyed music and dance to old and peppy numbers. The dancing was to be seen to be believed!
The next day began at 6 AM with a 2 km exhilarating morning trek of the hilly areas of the property, followed by a sumptuous and relaxed breakfast. After a brief session of vote of thanks to the PVI CEO and other managers, we checked out of the resort and headed for BYG BREWSKY, a microbrewery promoted by an IIMite Bharat Ram (PGP 2008) for the taste of locally brewed beer variants and lunch. The 3 hours spent there was a riot with everyone shedding their inhibitions and dancing to the old number RA RA RASPUTIN – Boney M. The high point was the dancing on the hall tables by people in their late 60s – the SEENAGERS? – both boys & girls!!
The gang then checked into Sheraton Grand shortly thereafter and along with Drinks and Dinner a special DJ night was organized by T Muralidharan on 7th June at 7:30 pm with an Idea to make this reunion memorable. The theme in his own words was “Once upon a time, back in 1979, the DJ Room at IIMA was our secret escape – to unwind, to forget that brutal MSM quiz, to lose ourselves in rhythm. But always, we listened alone. 46 years later, you’re no longer alone. One person has been the music of your journey -your spouse. Welcome to the DJ Spouse Retro Night! This time, we don’t listen for ourselves. We play a song for our spouse. A song that says it all-love, laughter, memories. But here’s the twist: Tell us the story behind the song. Was it your first dance? A late-night drive memory? Or just the tune that makes your hearts smile? Surprise your spouse. We’ll spin it for you. You be the storyteller. We’ll be the DJ.
The session went off very well, leaving an everlasting memory. Post yet another relaxed and sumptuous breakfast on the 8th of June, we all checked out of Sheraton Grand bringing to close a very memorable and exciting reunion with a resolution to have reunion every year at different cities.
It was a reunion to re-bond – when we joined the brick pile, we knew very little about others (except those from our respective alma maters), and had to make friends. And this time, we had to discard our work worries and “live remix” that first icebreaker on LKP! Just as the backgrounds didn’t matter at LKP, the intervening 44 years didn’t matter this time! And the maximum enthu was shown by the most recent retirees!
What was essentially needed for a good reunion is to find a place with suiting and good ambience for getting together and have a few programs aimed at enhancing interaction among the friends. Lesser the per-head cost the better, if you want a large crowd.
The greatest takeaway? EVERYONE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED the meet! and asked when NEXT?
