“Klose to My Soul”

– Sonu Nigam performs to raise funds for  Sabha’s Bal Nivas

Following his magnificent sold-out performance in 2012 at the Guyana National Stadium, renowned Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam returns to Guyana on Sunday, May 4 for another fabulous concert organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. The concert is the Guyana leg of his 2014 world concert tour titled “Klose to My Soul”; the proceeds of the concert will go to the Sabha’s Bal Nivas home for vulnerable children.

Described as Bollywood’s biggest musical extravaganza to date, “Klose to My Soul” will feature tributes by Sonu to Indian musical legends like Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, RD Burman and Kishore Kumar, along with a healthy dose of Sonu’s own chartbusters ranging from up-tempo dance numbers to his latest hit “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin”, a song which swept all of the Indian musical awards last year. Sonu will also be taking requests from the audience. A 25-member troupe from Mumbai, including a large selection of Bollywood’s best musicians, will be in Guyana for the concert.

Also performing will be upcoming Bollywood playback singer, Jonita Gandhi. Following the success of the title track of “Chennai Express”, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, and a series of concerts with Sonu worldwide, Jonita has been making waves in the Bollywood music scene. She has done vocals for the upcoming film “Highway” starring “Student of the Year”’s Alia Bhatt, with musical director, the Oscar-winning AR Rehman calling the shots.

Jonita’s success as a singer is also thanks to the video-sharing site, YouTube. She has posted several covers of popular songs and her acoustic versions of “Tum Hi Ho” and “Pani De Rang” got over two million hits! Her recent renditions of “Suhani Raat” and “Chaudvin ka Chand” are simply beautiful.

The concert is also being held to commemorate the 176th Anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s 40th anniversary.

Tickets cost $1500 (standing); $2500 (general seating); $6000 (VIP Reserved Seating) and $25,000 (all-inclusive VVIP). Stadium parking costs $1000. Tickets are available at the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar; Red Mango at Robb Street; Bhagwan’s in Water Street; Harinarain & Sons, Regent Street; E-Networks (all locations); M&M Snackette, East Bank Demerara; Murti Shop, West Coast Demerara; and Spready’s Snackette, Berbice. For more information and ticket inquiries, please call  227-6181 ,  219-1900  or 641-4270. As usual, there will be a strict no-alcohol policy.

The show is supported by Digicel, ICEE, E-Networks, Sunburst, Aruwai Plaza and Resort, Annjees, Maharaja Restaurant, BK International Inc, Princess Hotel, NTN, Nescafe, Countryside Agri Centre, Brandi’s Home Furnishings, Rent-A-Tent, Digicom, Smalta, Kanhai’s Electrical Guyana, Metro Office Supplies, Prem’s Electrical, Puran Brothers Waste  and Chand’s Printing.

Worthy cause

Meanwhile, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is proud to announce that Bal Nivas, its shelter for children who are victims of abuse, at Ankerville, Berbice, will be opened at a special ceremony on Monday, May 5 at 16:00h.

The opening ceremony will feature cultural performances by children and talented youths, music by the E-Networks Orchestra, speeches and much more. The feature address will be delivered by President Donald Ramotar.

The Sabha’s Voices Against Child Abuse programme was launched in 2010 and the building plan for the shelter unveiled in April 2012 by President Ramotar and Sonu.

The contract for construction was awarded to Kascon Engineering Service and works commenced in March 2013. Now complete, the beautifully-constructed building can accommodate up to 66 persons at any one time.

In addition to being a safe haven for vulnerable children, Bal Nivas boasts of a skill training centre for women and counselling facility, which will be open to all Guyanese.

The Sabha wishes to thank all of the businesses and persons who have donated generously to Bal Nivas, and those persons who have supported its series of mega concerts, the proceeds of which funds the project.

The Sabha urges all to support the “Klose to My Soul” Sonu Nigam Concert. All of the concert proceeds will be dedicated to the shelter.