Ludhiana, September 28
“Rang de basanti chola” echoed the venue of a Saturday night programme, “Punjabi Spice Live”, at South City here. The programme was dedicated to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. A 60x40-foot-stage was constructed for the performances during the show.
One of the unique features of the show was a huge iron dome to cover the venue to prevent rain from playing spoilsport. A 20,000-watt sound system and computer-controlled lighting were also put in place to enhance the special effects for the show. A state-of the-art digital camera was also installed.
Excerpts from the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh were shown. For the first time, three channels — Zee Network, ETC Music and Alpha Punjabi — beamed the show live. The show was witnessed by over 10,000 persons. Rich tributes were paid to martyrs on the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
After paying homage to the martyr, a lively musical evening followed. Leading the pack was Punjabi pop star Malkiat Singh, whose song “Gud naalo ishq mittha” delighted the audience. The crowd seemed gripped with Saturday night fever and danced throughout the show, which lasted for three hours.
Giving Malkiat company were stars Surjit Bindrakhia, Shankar Sahney, Amrit Saab, Gulzar Lahoria, Nachhattar Gill and Gurkirpal Surajpuri. They sang their popular numbers, sending the crowd into delirium. The show was anchored by Satinder Satti.
The programme was without any vulgarity, as promised by one of the organisers during a Press meet.
Function:
Another function was held at Government Girls Primary School, Jawahar Nagar, to pay homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The president of the New Punjab Welfare Society, Mr Neel Kamal Sharma, gave away books and pencils to the needy students. He said countrymen should get together and fight against nepotism and corruption. Education was the most important weapon to curb these evils, he added.
Mr Balbir Singh Balli, a social worker, also stressed the need for educating children, as it was crucial for the development of the nation.