Johhny Lever sings Pray For India

          Mumbai: A new song from the album Pray For India (P4I) brings together Pankaj Udhas' velvet voice, with the star comic Johnny Lever. The lyrics of the melodious yet zesty title track, P4I go: "Tera India, Mera India, Apna India, Pray for India..." This is the first time ever that Johnny Lever is actually singing for an album. Also making her debut with this song is Sherya Kant, who is being presented this wonderful platform by her father Anil Kant. P4I is set to a bhangra beat and picturised as a bold, but a fun-filled video. Anil Kant and Johnny Lever feature in the music video of the title song along with other artistes. The video shows that prayer is 'cool'. People, especially the youngsters are not only interested in partying and "masti", but they do believe in "One True God" and are above the divisions of religions.
- May 29, 2004

Painting workshop in Jaipur

          Jaipur: A workshop has been organised to promote the traditional Indian school of art, Dundhar. It evoked keen interest amongst the young artists of the 'Pink City'. The camp, which coincides with summer vacations of the schools in the city, aims to hold practical classes for the young artists in the intricacies of the miniature art, 'Dhundhari Kalam'. Rajasthan is world famous for its various schools of fine arts. They are known for their typical style and intricate art. The camp has attracted several young boys and girls who intend to continue after the camp is over. "Art camp is being organised for the past 5 to 6 years in the City Palace. The main aim of this is that the younger generation could revive our age old traditions and art," said Kunwar Narender Singh, organiser of the camp. Ramu Ramdev, an artist, said such workshops also help in talent hunting. "Children come here to learn this art. Every year out of 100 to 150 children if we get 4 to 5 good artistes then it is easy to revive the age old tradition. It is easy for us to search the talent by organising this camp," he said. "I was very attracted towards the miniature paintings, I always wanted to do this. Then I came to know about this miniature painting workshop at the City Palace and I joined it." said Deepti, a trainee. One of the unique features of Dundhar paintings is the gold leaf painting in embossed style. Organisers plan to hold similar camps to revive Bundi, Mewar and Marwar art forms.
- May 16, 2004

Bhangra star Daler Mehndi to perform in Delhi

          New Delhi: The Indian Bhangra star Daler Mehndi pioneered the concept of Punjabi pop music in the country. Today almost ten years later "King of Punjabi Pop" is lending a helping hand to popularise the Punjabi folk and pop music worldwide through a series of worldwide Bhangra concerts. The concerts are aimed at introducing colour and exuberance of Punjabi music to music lovers across the globe. "World wide Bhangra Concert Series" will bring together as many as 15 Punjabi and India-pop music icons like Mehndi, Stereo Nation, Apache Indian, Baba Sehgal, Anamika, Jassi, Mika, Harbhajan Mann, Malkit Singh, among others, on one platform. Being touted as the first of its kind, the series, being organised by the Brilliant Entertainment Networks (BEN), will be launched with a concert in New Delhi. "What we want to do is we want to create Punjabi music as an international language. That is why we have more artists on one stage... World tour means we will have more attention and that is the reason," said Raman Raheja, the Director of Brilliant Entertainment Networks. Jasmeet Singh, lead singer of pop group "Joshilay", said he was excited to perform in front of a large audience. "Its a great feeling. I am feeling very nice to be in front of so many people for the first time nearly 20,000-25,000 people. I am feeling great," said Singh. The group plans to move to countries like Britain and the United States where a sizeable Punjabi population has already made Punjabi music global.
-May 16, 2004

Bappi Lahiri's `Ghungta' is ready

          Father of re-mixes, Bappi Lahiri is ready with his latest album `Ghungta'. A rocking original album with tremendous mass appeal in Bappi da's own voice! The first single `Mujhko Tu Neta Bana De' has a humorous lilt with him praying to the Lord for making everybody from all walks of life a "Neta" so they can serve the people and bring light into everyone's lives. It's a typical "Junta" song, which tends to instantly warm up to young and old listeners alike! Especially now, with elections around the corner, this wacky song is sure to hit the right vein and get listeners to queue up outside music stores for more Bappi! The album has eight great tracks, including "Ghungta Utha" and "Dilli Mein Dhunda" which are sure to get one doing the right jhatkas and matkas.
-May 16, 2004

Housewives' move to save a musical tradition

          Chennai: Housewives in Tamil Nadu are reviving the state's ancient but dying Devaram music. Devarams are devotional hymns sung in reverence of Lord Shiva. Dating back to 600-900 AD, when Tamil literature came under the influence of Saiva saints, Devaram hymns are basically compilations of teachings of the saints. They have in them all forms of spiritual expression from the Advaitic principles of nondualism and self-realization to devotional praises. Performed mainy at temples or religious gathering, Devaram has its unique rhythm and style and are perhaps the only hymns in the world to be sung both during festivity and mourning. Though sung by male priest, the tradition has over the years faded into oblivion and now it is the women who are struggling to revive it. Clad in green sarees (a five-metre drape), these women from state capital Madras, all of whom are housewives, spend their spare time learning the music and then perform it at various temples or at gatherings in people's homes. "Everything is very modern these days but Devaram is a very ancient art form, we want to develop our ancient culture that is why a lot of housewives are learning this once a week in their free time," Rani Venkatesan, a Devaram singer, said. "Nowdays, along with Carnatic musicians, housewives are trying to learn this sort of music to get blessings from saints," Jyoti, another Devaram exponent, added. The women say with younger generations hooked on to mainstream music, the few surviving exponents of Devaram were finding no students. Living in abject poverty, they are literally on the brink of starvation and have appealed to the government for help.
- May 1, 2004

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