Latest update April 10th, 2025 12:07 AM
President among sold-out-crowd at “Klose to My Soul” concert
President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar were among the thousands who gathered at the National Stadium, Providence, to enjoy the talent of renowned Bollywood playback singer, Sonu Nigam, and his 25-member troupe from Mumbai. The occasion was the ‘Klose to my soul’ concert in observance of Arrival Day.
President Donald Ramotar on stage with Bollywood playback singer, Sonu Nigam
Along with Nigam was a large selection of Bollywood’s best musicians.
The concert, organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, was held to commemorate the 176th Anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s 40th anniversary. The proceedings will go to the Sabha’s Bal Nivas home for vulnerable children.
Bal Nivas which is located at Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice has the capacity to house approximately 60 persons.
The facility materialised after a series of massive fund-raising events including mega concerts featuring Bollywood’s singing sensations.
President Ramotar, who briefly addressed the thousands of supportive Guyanese at last evening’s concert applauded their support for a worthwhile cause and encouraged their support of other such ventures.
The President also hailed the concert as a fitting tribute to the Indian foreparents who came to Guyana and despite difficulties, managed to maintain their culture.
“Today, 176 years after, we have the top artistes of India coming to entertain us. That is a testimony to the fact that our foreparents managed in difficult and very harsh circumstances to maintain this culture and to give it also a specific Guyanese flavour,” he said.
On May 5, 1838, five women, 233 men, and six children from India were the first batch of East Indian immigrants to arrive on board the Whitby at Highbury, East Bank Berbice to supplement the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society in which Guyana today prides itself.
The concert which also featured performance by upcoming Bollywood playback singer, Jonita Gandhi, was also the Guyana leg of Sonu Nigam’s 2014 World Concert tour titled “Klose to My Soul”.
A section of the audience at the show on Sunday
This concert featured tributes to Indian musical legends like Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, RD Burman and Kishore Kumar. (GINA)
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