Shri. Pranab mukherjee, external affairs minister to inaugurate South-Asian Bands Festival’09

New Delhi: Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister will inaugurate the South-Asian Bands Festival ’09 at Purana Qila, New Delhi on February 20, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. The three-day musical fest, which will culminate on February 22 with a show-stopping performance by Mumbai’s Vishal-Shekhar, is being held by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs & SEHER. For further information log on to www.sehernow.in

Presenting various genres of music ranging from the ethnic to the fusion, the participating bands performing from India are Vishal-Shekhar (Mumbai), Jasbir Jassi (Delhi), Parikrama (Delhi), Them Clones (Delhi), Agnee Band (Pune), Shaair + Func (Mumbai), Swarathma (Bangalore) and Skinny Alley (Calcutta). The other performing bands are Aryan Band (Afghanistan), Miles (Bangladesh), Soul Sounds (Sri Lanka), Robin & The Revolution (Nepal), Trio (Maldives) and Who’s Your Daddy (Bhutan).

Says Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder, SEHER & Festival Director, South Asian Bands Festival ’09: “Aimed at the youth of the country, this musical fest brings together some of the best fusion music bands from the sub-continent. This is the festival’s second year with a top-class line-up with a rare appearance of Vishal-Shekhar from Mumbai - and it promises to be a real treat for the music lovers of the capital. While the festival showcases some of the biggest names in the Indian subcontinent, it also gives a great opportunity and exposure to some of the upcoming young bands.”

Says Pavan. K. Varma, Director General, ICCR: “It is with great pleasure that the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) announces the Second South Asian Bands Festival ’09. This festival which had its first edition in Nov-Dec 2007 saw an immensely successful response from people across Delhi, especially the youth, and represented a new area of creative interaction. In 2009, the festival will feature young talent from across seven countries of South Asia, highlighting the fact that music knows no boundaries and can play a significant role in strengthening people to people contact. We are sure that the festival this year will be as much a success as it was last year.”


PROGRAMME

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009: 5 P.M. ONWARDS

Them Clones (Delhi)
Agnee (Pune)
Miles (Bangladesh)
Aryan Band (Afghanistan)
Jasbir Jassi (Delhi)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009: 5 P.M. ONWARDS

Soul Sounds (Sri Lanka)
Skinny Alley (Calcutta)
Who’s your daddy (Bhutan)
Shaair + Func (Mumbai)
Parikrama (Delhi)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009: 5 P.M. ONWARDS

Trio (Maldives)
Swarathma (Bangalore)
Robin & The New Revolution (Nepal)
Vishal Shekhar (Mumbai)