Advertisement

Music bands from SAARC, France to rock Delhi

Fourteen music bands from the SAARC countries and observatory country France will perform in the national capital Friday, in the eighth edition of the South Asian Bands Festival.

Music bands from SAARC, France to rock Delhi Thinkstock Photo, For representational purposes only

New Delhi: Fourteen music bands from the SAARC countries and observatory country France will perform in the national capital Friday, in the eighth edition of the South Asian Bands Festival.

The bands from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, France and host India will perform at the Purana Qila Nov 7-9.

As a part of the curtain raiser, Zebunissa Bangash from Pakistan, Chirkutt from Bangladesh and Mrigya from India performed Wednesday evening in front of President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan premises.

The festival organised by the external affairs ministry, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Seher begins at 6 p.m. and is free for all.

"Music has no boundaries. With the same ideology, this festival aims to bring together Asian countries. Started in 2007, the festival has become one of Delhi's most eagerly awaited cultural extravaganzas," said Sanjeev Bhargava, director of the South Asian Bands Festival.

"Coming together of some of the most talented musicians on one platform is the best and truest representation of regional integration through culture," he said.

This year, the festival will also feature performances by Alobo Naga and The Band (ANB) from Dimapur, Nagaland, which was formed in 2010 and which won the Best Indian Act at a European music awards ceremony in 2012.

Pakistani singing sensation Zebunissa Bangash - popularly known as Zeb - recently made her foray into Bollywood with hit tracks in films like "Madras Cafe" and "Highway".

Success from France, Kabul and Rock Veda, Mrigya, The Sky Vengers, Indus Creed, Doon Bhar and Passenger Revelator from India, The Forsaken from Bhutan, Mukti and Revival from Nepal, Kinetic Operations from the Maldives, Band from Afghanistan and the Herb and the Remedy from Sri Lanka will also perform.