Popular Bollywood playback singer Atif Aslam is set to be the star at a Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha mega concert set for May 1, which is being described as the highlight of a number of activities the organisation has planned to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Guyana.
Atif has been thriving in the Indian film industry as a playback singer and has rendered hit songs like “Pehli Nazar,” “Tu Juaane Na,” “Tere Sang Yaara,” “Dil Diyan Gallan,” “Tera Hone Laga Hoon” and “Main Rang Sharbaton Ka, O Saathi”. He has been nominated a number of times and is the proud recipient of several prestigious awards and has performed at various concerts worldwide. His effortless performance, a fusion of energy, versatility and flair with the ability to switch flawlessly from the Bollywood genre to folk music, qawalis and pop songs makes him one of the most sought after Bollywood artiste. He predominantly sings in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, but has also sung in Bengali. The Pakistani singer/songwriter began his music career in 2004 and has seen a number of chart toppings. Atif is also an actor and made his debut in the 2011 film, Boi.
This year’s concert is set for the National Stadium, which saw the performances of other renowned singers like Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan and Sunidhi Chauhan in times past. This one will be no different as regards it being a family setting with only the highest standard of performances. Alcohol is prohibited.
All proceeds from the concert will go towards the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion project which involves the construction of a new secondary school and additional primary facilities. The school was established some 20 years ago and is known for excellent academic performances and extends to its strong extra-curricular programme that includes cultural and religious education. The students of the primary school are said to have been consistent in acquiring top spots at the National Grade Six Assessment. The school has outgrown its current accommodation at its Barr Street, Kitty location. In respect to the commemoration, the Dharmic Sabha will also be holding a special Ramayan Festival at the Oceanview Mandir Compound on the West Coast Demerara on Saturday, May 5. This is in accordance with the Ramayan traditions that were brought to Guyana by our foreparents. Also on the agenda are cultural events featuring outstanding Guyanese artistes at the John’s Campus and at the Bath Community Centre Ground, both in Berbice and scheduled for May 4, and the following day at the Anna Regina Mandir and the Better Hope Mandir on the East Coast Demerara.
Meanwhile, the East Berbice Praant of the Sabha will host a special lecture and evening of Taan by mid-May.
The May 1 concert begins at 7 pm, while gates will be open from 5 pm and Indian and Guyanese traditional foods, sweet meats and other delicacies will be on sale.
Tickets for the concert cost VVIP $20,000, VIP reserved seating $6,000, general seating $2,500 and standing $1,500.
can be picked up at the Dharmic Kendra, Prashad Nagar; Red Mango, Robb Street; all e-Networks locations; Harinarine and Sons, Regent Street; Countryside Agri Centre, Vreed-en-Hoop; M&M Snackette, East Bank Demerara; the Murti Shop, West Coast Demerara and NTN on Brickdam. For more information the Dharmic Sabha can be contacted on 227-6181 or 219-1900.
