Dubai Diary: What to do this Weekend?

It’s the Indian Republic Day weekend, and naturally, keeping the large NRI diaspora in mind, event organisers here have pulled out all stops in ensuring that the community doesn’t have the opportunity to feel even a bout of nostalgia for their home soil.

Rock band Parikrama will have you head banging to their beats, while Punjabi singer Mika Singh will belt out all the hits from his repertoire, along with (we are quite sure), a few patriotic numbers to get the crowds into the spirit of things.

Meanwhile, the culture vultures will have the opportunity to catch a rare live performance of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Kaushiki Chakrabarty Desikan this weekend too. It doesn’t get more exciting than this.

Friday, January 27

Unplugged 2012

All roads will lead to the Dubai Tennis Stadium for rocks fans as the super talented Indian band, Parikrama take to the stage along with Pakistan’s pulsating group, Jal.

For those not in the know, Parikrama has been playing to packed crowds since its formation in 1991. Known for its trademark blend of rock with Indian classical music, the band has yet to actually release a full-length album in its history, but do have all the tracks uploaded on its official website for free downloads.

While the line-up of artists has changed over the decades, the music has retained its strong influences of greats such as Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.

Meanwhile, Pakistani band Jal needs no introduction which has given us hits such as “Bheegi Yaadien”, “More Piya”, “Sajni” and many more.

The concert is from 8pm until midnight, with tickets priced at Dh75, Dh100, Dh150 and Dh225. Call: 050 129 9978

Gharana – A musical concert

A well known name in the Indian classical movement, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and daughter Kaushiki Chakrabarty Desikan will be performing live at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, Mall of the Emirates this Friday.

Hailing from the Patiala gharana of musicians, this Bengali maestro has studied the art under the watchful eye of Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, son of the legendary maestro of the Patiala-Kasur gharana, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

Culture vultures should not miss out this rare chance to catch the father-daughter duo perform live.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with tickets priced at Dh100, Dh150 and Dh200. The Dh250 ones are currently sold out. Call: 050 586 7810

Rock the Evening with Mika Singh and Kapil Sharma

If your Friday wasn’t looking packed enough, another rocking event to make it to the calendar on the same evening is the Mika Singh concert, who will accompanied by noted Indian comic, Kapil Sharma.

Where Mika is concerned, expect an energetic performance of all your favourite Bollywood numbers, including “Dhinka Chika”, “Saj Dhaj Ke”, “Tu Mera Hero” and so much more.

Being organised at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, the concert is free for children under five. For the older lot, tickets are priced at Dh150, Dh250, Dh500 and Dh1,000.

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