Kailash Kher, the Indian sufi singer, who is all set to perform at the closing ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games, has said that the mega sporting event has helped promote Indian culture by putting more emphasis on classical and folk music and dances rather than focussing just on Bollywood.
"The Games have had an impact on people outside India. People are now aware and more curious about what the country has to offer. They were introduced to much more than Bollywood at the Opening Ceremony," said Kher.
Having lent his voice to over 200 Hindi film songs and serving as a judge in 'Indian Idol', a reality show on television, Kher is soon going to perform in an outdoor concert in Australia in November during 'Parramasala,' the first international festival of South Asian Arts.
The sufi singer dismissed the various controversies and negative press reports in the run up to the Games. "India is such a big country with a lot of different culture and opinions. There is bound to be controversies. What is important ultimately is how we overcome these obstacles," Kher told reporters at the announcement launch of 'Parramasala.'
"We will have a vibrant closing ceremony," said Kher refusing to divulge more about the songs he would sing. Kher who had composed a song "Yahan Jashn Manao…", for the Commonwealth Games, said, "The Games has brought in a lot of business for the Indians, especially for Indian musicians who are all coming forward to work together on a common platform."
Having released a new track for the film "Allah ke Bande", the singer is next performing with Indo-Australian band "Five Elements" at the Sydney festival in November this year.
"Music is magic, it has changed the mindset of so many people. It can also bridge differences between countries. People across the world are more open about India and want to know about its music. We have to grow out of Bollywood," said the singer.
Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/104538/games-put-spotlight-indian-culture.html
"The Games have had an impact on people outside India. People are now aware and more curious about what the country has to offer. They were introduced to much more than Bollywood at the Opening Ceremony," said Kher.
Having lent his voice to over 200 Hindi film songs and serving as a judge in 'Indian Idol', a reality show on television, Kher is soon going to perform in an outdoor concert in Australia in November during 'Parramasala,' the first international festival of South Asian Arts.
The sufi singer dismissed the various controversies and negative press reports in the run up to the Games. "India is such a big country with a lot of different culture and opinions. There is bound to be controversies. What is important ultimately is how we overcome these obstacles," Kher told reporters at the announcement launch of 'Parramasala.'
"We will have a vibrant closing ceremony," said Kher refusing to divulge more about the songs he would sing. Kher who had composed a song "Yahan Jashn Manao…", for the Commonwealth Games, said, "The Games has brought in a lot of business for the Indians, especially for Indian musicians who are all coming forward to work together on a common platform."
Having released a new track for the film "Allah ke Bande", the singer is next performing with Indo-Australian band "Five Elements" at the Sydney festival in November this year.
"Music is magic, it has changed the mindset of so many people. It can also bridge differences between countries. People across the world are more open about India and want to know about its music. We have to grow out of Bollywood," said the singer.
Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/104538/games-put-spotlight-indian-culture.html
