Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan mega concert on for tonight

By Rehana Ashley Ahamad
Today’s date on many people’s calendars have been circled; Why? Because one of the most historic Bollywood- oriented shows ever to be held here in Guyana is on for tonight.
Not one, but two of the most renowned playback singers of all time will be sharing the stage.
Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan, the rightful King and Queen of melody are here to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival to Guyana.

Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik is notably the next best thing to the iconic Lata Mangeshkar.
Her contributions to the Hindi cinema has spanned decades. Her songs have given many the reasons to dance, laugh and even cry. Her fan base is wide and diverse.
She is a record seven-time winner from a record of 35 nominations of the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, a two-time recipient of the National Film Award as well as winner of several other music awards. Further, as many as 20 of her tracks feature in BBC’s “Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time” review.
In 2012, on occasion of 100 years of Hindi Cinema, her song “Taal Se Taal Mila” from the movie Taal was voted as the best song of the century.
Alka Yagnik, has for many years, been among the top three singers for Bollywood cinema. She shared that rating with Udit Narayan, as well as Kumar Sanu who recently performed here at the previous ‘Music of the World Super concert’ organized by Fire Fest Productions.
As for Udit Narayan Jha, popularly known as Udit Narayan, the King of Melody, he is the holder of three National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards and numerous other awards. In 2009, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India.
The success story of his career began in 1988 when he sang all the songs for the successful Bollywood movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, which earned him a Filmfare Award for the hugely popular song Papa Kehte Hai.
The film also brought actor Aamir Khan, actress Juhi Chawla and as well as Alka Yagnik to stardom.
After the success of that film, “Uditji” became one of the leading playback singers in the Indian film industry.
He has sung for numerous blockbuster films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil to Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai, Karan Arjun, Raja Hindustani, Devdas, Darr, Mohabbatein, Om Shanti Om and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, to name a few.
The songs from these films were also among the collaborations between both him and Alkaji, and Kumar Sanu.
Of all the great songs that he has been given full credit for, the now popular song “Radha” from the movie Student of the Year, is not entirely credited to Udit Narayan as the television advertisement may have suggested.
Rather, Uditji was the voice of Rishi Kapoor who appeared almost at the end of the song which is collaboration between himself, Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal Dadlani.
Today, the gates to the National Stadium at Providence will be opened from as early as 17:00hrs for the grand performances of these two legends, which is scheduled to begin at 19:00hrs sharp.
Just like the Sonu Nigam concert, the organizers, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has said that all proceeds of the concert will be going towards the construction of the Sabha’s Children’s Shelter “Bal Nivas” in Ankerville, Berbice; construction of which began in February of this year.

Udit Narayan

There are three categories of tickets available – General seating tickets costing $2,500, VIP reserved seating at $5,000 and VVIP all inclusive tickets which cost $20,000. Stadium parking tickets costing $1000 are also on sale. Tickets are available at the Dharmic Kendra (227-6181 or 219-1900), Red Mango, Bhagwans, E-Networks, Harinarine & Sons, Ashmins, NTN, M & M Snackette, R. Gossai & Sons General Store, Murti Sop – WCD and Spready’s – Berbice.