30 April 2008

What's on today


SUNDAY brings with it the end of the Anzac Day long weekend, but before the kids go back to school for another term, why not take them out for some family fun?

For anyone looking to improve the quality of life in their household, the Sunday Mail Home Living Expo, held at Adelaide Showground, is a must-attend event. From renovations to energy-efficient home designs, it has all the latest information, products, ideas, interactive displays and practical advice.

There is also entertainment for the whole family, and action is spread across two huge pavilions and an outdoor exhibition. It runs from 10am to 6pm today, and admission is $8 for adults, $6 concession and children under 15 are free.

Today the Naracoorte Motorcycle Club, Gum Point Rd, is also running a sidecar spectacular. This is the second day of the motor cross event, which boasts 35 sidecar outfits competing in six classes.

However, if you would prefer a more relaxing atmosphere, rug up and get along to Sundays at the Adelaide Festival Centre. From 10am to 4pm there are arts and crafts markets, free and ticketed musical performances, plus children's entertainment and delicious food.

But if you think the young tackers will get more of a kick out of sitting in the cockpit of a real jet fighter, why not take a trip down to Classic Jets Fighter Museum at Parafield Airport? There they can have a go at developing and test-flying paper planes, or learn about aviation history by following a Jet Trail Adventure. Admission is $6.50 for adults, $16.50 for families, $3.50 for children 5 to 15 years, $5.50 for seniors and under 5's are free.

And for those of you craving some world music after the dust has settled on this year's WomAdelaide, tonight is your chance to see Indian Idol winner Prashant Tamang sing at the Norwood Concert Hall.

The West Bengal police officer, who had no formal training in music, is now a household name across India. Tamang is performing with legendary bollywood singer Sonu Nigaam. Tickets are $35, and the tour raises funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal.

The annual Vintage and Classic Day is on at McLaren Vale, with a parade down Main St at 11.15am. Cars will be on display at wineries from noon. Whether you are a Mustang, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz enthusiast - or perhaps just looking for somethind to do - this nostalgic display is sure to impress.

And if you work up an appetite from all the gallivanting around, and are looking for a quick and cheap snack, duck into Bakers Delight and grab one of their Pink Buns, from which 100 per cent of the sale goes to supporting Australians affected by breast cancer. The promotion began on Thursday and runs until May 14. Now that's guilt-free grazing!

For any die-hard cat lovers, you may be interested to know that today the Burmese Specialist Cat Club All Breeds Championship Cat Show is on at United Way Hall, Elizabeth City Shopping Centre. Owners can also get information and advice on their beloved Burmese felines. It's open to the public from 9am to 4pm.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23603324-910,00.html

Well, hello Bolly, it's so nice …


BOLLYWOOD star Sonu Nigam is talking from a mobile phone at an airport in Kolkata, India. The airport is noisy, the phone line is bad, and Nigam, 34, is about to board a plane. He sounds a little harried but genuinely apologetic, explaining that he has eight shows in as many cities in India over the next week, before flying to Australia.

The singer is travelling with his wife and his eight-month-old son, whose arrival in the world brought Nigam endless joy — and, he admits, further complications to his touring schedule.

"Of course, we have to compromise in certain situations," says Nigam. "But wherever possible, I take my family with me. Right now I have my mother, my wife and my child here, even though it's a long journey. While I'm talking to you, I can see my son sitting in front of me, so I'm content."

Family has always been important to Nigam. His parents were both popular singers in India. In fact, his father still sings, and will perform in Australia with Nigaam this weekend (along with Nigam's band, Bollywood dancers and an emerging singer, Prashant Tamang, winner of last year's Indian Idol).

When Nigam turned 18, his father moved with him from Delhi to Bombay to help establish his singing career. "We are a go-and-get-it family," Nigam says. "Whatever we have done, we have done together. It is never 'me', it is 'us'."

Nigam started out singing covers of songs by his idol, Mohammed Rafi, and then hosting a TV talent show. But he had his heart set on Bollywood, and eventually broke into the industry as an extremely versatile playback singer.

In Bollywood films, playback artists provide voices for the actors, who lip-synch to the songs that are an integral part of each film. Talented playback singers can become stars in their own right, and Nigaam is now one of the most prominent male artists in Bollywood.

His visit to Australia has been organised by CHARINDAA, a non-profit organisation that raises money for charity through Indian arts and cultural events (CHARINDAA presented the Australian tour of the Bollywood composer A. R. Rahman in 2005, and the Festival of Indian Music in 2006). Proceeds from Nigam's Australian shows will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre.

Melbourne-based professionals Mohan Krishnamoorthy and A. V. Mohan are honorary co-directors of CHARINDAA. The organisation aims to raise $1 million over 10 years, by producing both classical and popular Indian arts events.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/well-hello-bolly-its-so-nice-133/2008/04/25/1208743243061.html

14 April 2008

Prashant welcomed in Kuersong

Indian Idol returns to hills, holding Morcha hand


Darjeeling, April 13: Indian Idol Prashant Tamang today performed in front of his adoring home fans, for the first time after winning the television reality show, at a programme organised by a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-affiliated association.

Last year, the Morcha was born after its president Bimal Gurung cashed in on the strong anti-Subash Ghisingh sentiment that swept through the hills during the campaign launched to help Tamang win Indian Idol 3. The GNLF chief had refused to publicly back Tamang even as the entire Gorkha community put its collective might behind the singer from Darjeeling. [(From left) Karma Sherpa, Bimal Gurung and Prashant Tamang at Darjeeling’s Chowrastha on Sunday. Picture by Suman Tamang]

Since then, the political turmoil in the hills has been one of the reasons why Tamang could not perform here, although he toured about half-a-dozen countries across the world.

This morning, Tamang appeared happy to be back.

“I wanted to come to Darjeeling after getting well (from jaundice) and I am overjoyed at being able to perform here during Nepali New Year’s Day (2065),” the singer said.

The Ekta Diwas ceremony was organised by the Gorkha Janmukti All Gorkha Students’ Union. It was formed recently after the apolitical All Gorkha Students’ Union (Agsu) threw in its lot with the Morcha.

The Agsu has been celebrating Ekta Diwas for the past four years.

Prakriti Giri and Karma Sherpa, two other singers who did well in different reality shows were also felicitated at the programme along with six other achievers from the field of sports, literature and academics.

Tamang, however, stole the limelight and, going by the applause, seemed to overshadow even the Morcha president at times.

Mindful of the support he enjoys not only in Darjeeling and Sikkim, but every place that has a Nepali-speaking population, the singer urged the hill people to remain united. “If we show the same unity (displayed during the voting for Indian Idol), we can do much more,” he said.

The Indian Idol will leave Darjeeling tomorrow and go on his second US tour on April 16. He is also busy working as a playback singer in a Nepali film, Himmat, being made in Kathmandu. [The Telegraph]
http://beacononline.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/indian-idol-returns-to-hills-holding-morcha-hand/

9 April 2008

Indian Idol’s first visit to hills

www.telegraphindia.com

Darjeeling, April 8: Prashant Tamang is finally coming to his hometown, the first time after winning the Indian Idol crown.

Although his visit has not been publicised much, family sources confirmed that Tamang will land at the Bagdogra airport tomorrow afternoon. His itinerary has not been fixed as the family is discussing taking Tamang to Kalimpong — his uncle resides at Tirpai — for a break before he finally comes to his house in Toongsoong.

Plans are, however, afoot to organise programmes in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong during his short stay in the hills.

“Details of the programmes in Kurseong and Darjeeling on April 11 and 13 are being chalked out. He might also perform in Kalimpong on April 12,” said another source.

Tamang, along with Karma Sherpa and Prakarti Giri (both of them have made it big in nationally televised music reality shows), will be felicitated by the Gorkha Janmukti All Gorkha Students’ Union (new name of the All Gorkha Students’ Union) on April 13 at Chowrastha.

The first voices of dissent against Subash Ghisingh were heard when the hill leader failed to air his support for Tamang in public when the Calcutta police constable was vying to be the Indian Idol. Since then, much water has flowed under the Teesta: the Sixth Schedule bill has been stalled and the GNLF no longer holds sway in the hills.

Tamang, too, did not visit the hills during the time. His first album was released in Gangtok by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling.