Mumbai : We have seen men in khaki chase Bollywood personalities with shades of grey as well as provide security to them, but few would expect them to take a cue from showbiz glitterati and break into a song and dance and that too in the local police station.
Senior Police Inspector of Bhoiwada police station Sunil Tondwalkar is known for interspersing his work as a crime buster with old melodies, which he has painstakingly fed into a Karaoke system that is attached to the television set placed in his office. From Mohammad Rafi to Kishore Kumar to Adnan Sami, there are about a 1,000 melodies – both Hindi and Marathi — in his repository.
Tondwalkar says, “It helps me unwind after a tough day at work. Given our 24-hour duty schedule it is important to relieve the stress.’’ He had started by dabbling in a Casio musical instrument and has now graduated to more serious Karaoke singing, even while he is at work.
Tondwalkar says, “I came across the system in a shopping mall and immediately bought one and installed it in the police station, where we are cooped up for long hours. When I have leisure time, especially on Sunday when the work load is relatively less, I indulge myself.”
The sub inspectors and other administrative staff at the police station also join in these music sessions, albeit as an eager audience.
Tondwalker is convinced that Karaoke is ideal for family bonding. Also it is easily available; and with an additional mike, it can be used by other family members as well. But the officer refuses to take his passion to another level and wants it remain a hobby. The lyrical facet of his personality has also helped him address his problem of high blood pressure. So, do not be surprised if on a visit to the Bhoiwada police station, you happen to hear him rendering Kumar Shanu’s ‘Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye’ or Hemant Kumar’s Marathi number ‘Dhokar Dholkar Daraiyacha Raja’.
His one fervent desire is to sing at police functions.
Iram Siddique
