BECOMES 2nd INDIAN AFTER LATA MANGESHKAR TO PERFORM AT THE PRESTIGIOUS LIVE MUSIC VENUE
The world’s greatest live music venue shook to the sounds of the Punjab as living legend Gurdas Maan delivered an unforgettable performance loaded with big hits, beautiful poetry and moments that touched the hearts of those who were lucky enough to get a ticket. The mighty Maan followed up a breathtaking show on 23rd April 2011, with an even better one on 24th April, 2011 as he glided through hit songs, danced, improvised and interacted with the audience. He began by kneeling down before the audience and thanking them for spending their hard earned money on tickets before remembering great legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who had performed at the venue in the past. He then proceeded to deliver the kind of high energy show, which has not been seen at the venue since electrifying artists like Jimi Hendrix lit up the venue decades ago. Infact this is the first time that an artist has performed two consecutive shows at the venue that every singer craves to perform at.What set this Royal Albert Hall performance apart from the countless ones by icons from the past was the poetry and important life lessons Gurdas Maan imparted on his adoring public. At one point, he touched the feet of a disabled girl who was in the audience and said: “This beautiful wheelchair bound girl doesn’t have control of her limbs or body, but is always smiling whenever I have seen her. We are all blessed with full health, yet often we forget to smile.”
Other touching incidents at the family show, which was organized by UK Box Office, saw the super singer bless young children, give respect to elder members of the audience and pay a glowing tribute to his beloved wife Manjeet Maan, who was backstage. The evening was rounded off nicely with a joyous Mexican wave and the fact that Gurdas performed for an extra hour, turning the three-hour show into a four hour one. “It was an amazing honour to perform at such a prestigious venue. I felt the spirits of the past greats who have performed on the same stage and felt incredibly honoured that I was able to bring Punjabi music to this great venue. What made the two evenings extra special was the family audiences who took time out of their busy schedule to spend their hard earned money on tickets. I am extremely thankful to them,” further added Gurdas.
The two Royal Albert Hall dates are part of the incredible Dil Da Mamla UK tour and followed sold out shows in Wolverhampton, Leicester and Glasgow. Maan will round off the biggest tour of the year by performing at Leeds Town Hall on Friday April 29 and LG Arena in Birmingham on April 30.
One of the greatest and popular recording artists in the history of music, Gurdas Maan has risen from very humble beginnings to become the most successful and influential Punjabi singer of all time. An incredible career has seen him record over 35 albums and act in countless films. The multi-award winning musical icon has resurrected Punjabi cinema and done for Punjabi music what Pandit Ravi Shankar did for classical Indian music and what Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan did for qawwali. He has taken a very traditional form of sub-continental music to many millions around the world with stunning songs, unforgettable live performances and an imposing persona. His many honours include a doctorate from The University Of Wolverhampton, which he received in 2010. He continues to be massively in demand on the live circuit and will perform to more than 30,000 fans during his tour of the UK in April.