India’s Michael Jackson
Jul 03, 2003
Tomorrow, the World Malayalee Council (a global charity network of Malayalees from Kerala State, South India) is to fly in India’s hottest item on the musical scene, Sonu Nigam
By Raphael Okello
Tomorrow, the World Malayalee Council (a global charity network of Malayalees from Kerala State, South India) is to fly in India’s hottest item on the musical scene, Sonu Nigam.
The 30-year-old Indipop musician is expected to fly in today with a team of about 18 artists who are to inflame Speke Resort, Munyonyo in a charity musical festival dubbed ‘The Indo Ugandan Charity Extravaganza.’
He is to perform for three hours non-stop. For his dynamism and overwhelming popularity in India, “Sonu Nigam is fondly referred to as the Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley of India,†according to Poulose Chacko, the General Secretary World Malayalee Council, Africa.
A 2001 survey done by MTV voted him the most popular and adored singer currently in India, with others, senior or contemporary, falling way behind in rating. Nigam has won numerous national and international music, film and TV awards, a mark of Sonu’s dynamic showbiz career.
In an email to Poulose Chacko, Sonu Nigam’s father, manager and mentor, Agam Kumar Nigam mentioned some of Sonu’s accolades: In 1998 and 2002 he won the Screen Awards, in 2002 obtained a Bollywood Music Award and an International India Film Award in South Africa.
Two of his successful albums, Deewan and Jaan, are chronicled as India’s highest-selling albums ever produced and have carved him a historic landmark in India’s highly competitive music industry.
His songs or entire albums have featured in almost 90% of Bollywood films, such as Bewafa Sanam, Aaja Meri Jaan, Taal, Pardes, Dil Se, Border and many other popular Indian movies: “Over a span of 13 years, Sonu has released more than 10,000 film songs,†revealed Agam Nigam.
Like a whirlwind, he has exported his velvety voice, boyish charm and music all over the world through countless concerts, including some in the United States, Canada, and several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The concert will also demonstrate cultural coexistence as popular local musicians and performing artists like Halima, Kaweesa, Chameleon and The Obsessions have been invited to perform along side Indian musicians.
Agam Kumar Nigam, who once performed in Uganda in 1972, will arrive three days earlier to meet the Ugandan artists. Together they are to compose a song that they will sing with other Indian artists: “We want to show that we are united and one people,†said Poulose.
“We are a non-profiting organisation. Whatever money we will get from the concert is to go to ‘village adoption’.
This is a new charity concept in Uganda where we adopt one village at a time, improve and uplift the welfare, health and education of its people,†he said. Entrance will cost sh100,000 (VIP and dinner), 35,000, 15,000 and 5, 000. Ugandans are called upon to come and experience a (probably) once in lifetime musical experience while contributing towards a humanitarian cause.
Much has already been spent to make the show possible. The concert will start at 6:30pm till 11:00pm.
Tomorrow, the World Malayalee Council (a global charity network of Malayalees from Kerala State, South India) is to fly in India’s hottest item on the musical scene, Sonu Nigam.
The 30-year-old Indipop musician is expected to fly in today with a team of about 18 artists who are to inflame Speke Resort, Munyonyo in a charity musical festival dubbed ‘The Indo Ugandan Charity Extravaganza.’
He is to perform for three hours non-stop. For his dynamism and overwhelming popularity in India, “Sonu Nigam is fondly referred to as the Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley of India,†according to Poulose Chacko, the General Secretary World Malayalee Council, Africa.
A 2001 survey done by MTV voted him the most popular and adored singer currently in India, with others, senior or contemporary, falling way behind in rating. Nigam has won numerous national and international music, film and TV awards, a mark of Sonu’s dynamic showbiz career.
In an email to Poulose Chacko, Sonu Nigam’s father, manager and mentor, Agam Kumar Nigam mentioned some of Sonu’s accolades: In 1998 and 2002 he won the Screen Awards, in 2002 obtained a Bollywood Music Award and an International India Film Award in South Africa.
Two of his successful albums, Deewan and Jaan, are chronicled as India’s highest-selling albums ever produced and have carved him a historic landmark in India’s highly competitive music industry.
His songs or entire albums have featured in almost 90% of Bollywood films, such as Bewafa Sanam, Aaja Meri Jaan, Taal, Pardes, Dil Se, Border and many other popular Indian movies: “Over a span of 13 years, Sonu has released more than 10,000 film songs,†revealed Agam Nigam.
Like a whirlwind, he has exported his velvety voice, boyish charm and music all over the world through countless concerts, including some in the United States, Canada, and several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The concert will also demonstrate cultural coexistence as popular local musicians and performing artists like Halima, Kaweesa, Chameleon and The Obsessions have been invited to perform along side Indian musicians.
Agam Kumar Nigam, who once performed in Uganda in 1972, will arrive three days earlier to meet the Ugandan artists. Together they are to compose a song that they will sing with other Indian artists: “We want to show that we are united and one people,†said Poulose.
“We are a non-profiting organisation. Whatever money we will get from the concert is to go to ‘village adoption’.
This is a new charity concept in Uganda where we adopt one village at a time, improve and uplift the welfare, health and education of its people,†he said. Entrance will cost sh100,000 (VIP and dinner), 35,000, 15,000 and 5, 000. Ugandans are called upon to come and experience a (probably) once in lifetime musical experience while contributing towards a humanitarian cause.
Much has already been spent to make the show possible. The concert will start at 6:30pm till 11:00pm.