Old Bollywood tracks and evergreen carols set the mood at a pre-Christmas celebration organised by HelpAge India in the city on Friday.

Sixty senior citizens and students of Patna Women's College came together for the event held at the non-government organisation's Patliputra Colony premises. The young-at-heart seniors sang, danced and even flexed their competitive muscles in a game of antakshari with the college students.

There were two Santa Claus at the event - one from Patna Women's College and one from among the senior citizens.

Nehru Nagar resident Ramsundar Pandey was reminded of his college days when he would sing with his friends.

On Friday, he sang Ae Mere Zohra Jabeen from the 1965 film Waqt to the delight of everyone present. The elderly residents present at the programme cheered him on while others hummed along with him.

The 76-year-old, who retired as a section officer in the Bihar School Examination Board, said with a smile: 'I was more than happy to participate in the antakshari round and help my team stay in the competition. HelpAge India organises such antakshari programmes every Wednesday but for only us senior citizens. Friday was a different story, as we sat with the youngsters of Patna Women's College for the antakshari competition. The competition reminded me of my college days.'

Girls from the education department of Patna Women's College started the pre-Christmas celebration traditionally, with Christmas carols such as Long Time Ago in Bethlehem. A while later, they went on to the antakshari round where old and new songs flew among the participants.

The teams were a mix of senior citizens and Patna Women's College students.

Education department student Shipra Soni said: 'I had a great time at the pre-Christmas celebration organised by HelpAge India. Ever since I got married, I did not get the chance to meet my grandfather. Today (Friday), I felt I was with him.'

Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe from the Shammi Kapoor-Saira Banu starrer Junglee (1961) and Rup Tera Aisa Darpan Mein Na Samaye from Ek Baar Muskura Do (1972) were some of the songs put up by the senior residents of Patna. Some, unable to recall any song, even chanted shlokas and recited poems.

T.P. Singh (70), another participant, said: 'We played pranks on each others and had some good fun. If any opponent was taking the lead in every round, we were cracking jokes. All of us behaved like children.'

Girishchandra Mishra, the state chief of HelpAge India, said: 'In this fast-moving world, youngsters have very little time to spend with their grandparents. These programmes, however, help bridge the gap between senior citizens and youngsters.'

HelpAge India co-ordinator Dharmendra Kumar also said: 'We organised this programme to make the elderly residents smile. Most of the senior citizens, who participated in the programme, do not live with their children and they feel lonely in the festive time.'