By: Team Mangalorean, Oman

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Muscat Feb 3, 2007: It was a show that promised to scintillate the Muscat crowd.  So the ads screamed from the 'Times of Oman' for the past one week.  Well, people who believed the organizers and made it to the show had absolutely no regrets whatsoever, as the show was everything that was promised and much more.  The long line of cars that snaked through the Muscat roads to the Qurum Amphitheatre on Friday, February 2nd 2007 were proof of Asha Bhosle's unmatched popularity in Oman.  The amphitheatre was packed to capacity with expatriates and local Omanis alike.  The show was the maiden venture of 'Light and Shadow Enterprises Ltd' and was the perfect culmination to the Muscat Festival 2007.

Devika Sree Kumar

An incredible fireworks display that commenced on the dot at 8:30 pm set the precedent for the spectacular musical show that followed.  One of the local talents, Devika Sree Kumar kicked off the program with Asha's all time hit – 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai.'

Sudesh Bhosle

She was followed by Sudesh Bhosle, an all time favourite with the Indian crowd for his versatile voice and mimicry talent.  He regaled the crowd with beautiful numbers like – Humhe Tumse Pyaar Kitna, Yeh Joh Mohabbat hai, Intehaa Hogayi Intezaar Ki, Dekhaana Hai Re Sochana etc.  He also expertly impersonated the voices of Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Asrani, Om Prakash and others.

Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle's entry on the stage resulted in the whole crowd standing up and greeting her.  Her mellifluous voice rendering her ever popular hit numbers had the crowd responding with excited cheers and spontaneous applause.  Some of the evergreen melodies she sang were – Pyaar Karne Waale, Churaliya, In Aankhoki Masti Ke, Poocho Na Yaar Kya Hua, Kajara Mohabbat Wala, Sharara Sharara, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja and a host of other famous numbers.  She especially delighted the crowd by inviting her lead guitarist to do the opening beat of the 'One Two Cha Cha Cha' number. 

Debojeet

The surprise package of the evening was a power-packed performance by an extremely talented Indian Idol Debojeet, who sang Jeena Oh Haseena, Ya Ali, Chand Sifarish and Jeene Ke Hai Chaar Din.

The show was interspersed with fantastic dance performances by Meghna Naidu and Sanober Kabir both household names on the pop music channels. 

Truly the 'Eternal Asha' show was the perfect ending to the Muscat Festival.  Asha Bhosle who has stepped into her 74th year, was a bundle of energy on stage.  A complete entertainer she delighted the music lovers of Muscat with her dimpled smile and incredible voice.  It was a show that completely enthralled the audience at the packed Qurum Amphitheatre today.

Ashok Kumar Palazhi

The major sponsors of the event were Bank Muscat, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles LLC and the Bahwan Engineering Group.  Many more prestigious companies in Oman co-sponsored the event.  Ashok Kumar Palazhi from Media Sponsors Times of Oman spoke to Team Mangalorean and expressed his pride in being associated with an eminent singer and personality such as Asha Bhosle.  He also displayed to us a plaque with a write-up of Asha Bhosle that would be published in the Times of Oman tomorrow.

Mr. Rajeev Choudhary, the Man behind the show

Speaking to team Mangalorean earlier at the rehearsals today, the man behind the show Mr. Rajeev Choudhary said that the 'Eternal Asha' show was the maiden venture of his company 'Light and Shadow Enterprises LLC.'  However, as far as experience in event management is concerned, Rajeev is no novice.  He has been instrumental in organizing some of the most successful shows in Oman, including the Salman Khan show, plays and ghazal shows albeit in partnership with other companies and under his old banner 'Silver Falcon.'

Mr. Rajeev Choudhary

While he vociferously praised the expatriate community for their support, he had very special words of appreciation for the Omani community here, who he said were completely smitten by Hindi music, many of whom had personally told him that Asha's music had reached their hearts.  He therefore found Asha to be priceless and in his own words "No budget was big enough" to bring her here.

He also bemoaned the fact that over the years, there has been a bad culture of asking for complementary tickets in Muscat, where even affluent people hesitate to buy tickets for the show.  But he said all this is slowly changing and today's show has been ample proof that people are now willing to shell out ticket money to enjoy a good musical show.  This could only mean one thing he said, "that Oman is now ready for mega events."

Rajeev's company 'Light and Shadow Enterprises LLC' owns an office in Mumbai, managed by Vishaal Goswami under the banner 'Event Management Corporation' and has been instrumental in bringing successful musical shows from India to USA, UK, Holland and the Gulf.

We asked Rajeev, what's the next BIG event in Oman and he said "Get prepared to welcome the Badshaah or King of Bollywood" and then to maintain the mystery surrounding that ambiguous statement, he smiled and continued "Now it's up to you to decide who is the Badshaah of Bollywood."  He has plans to screen the five most popular films of this superstar on five days of the week, the sixth day would culminate in a live performance by the same superstar.  It would basically be a festival that would 'celebrate a particular star'.

Rajeev also said he has plans to bring popular Arabic stars and ultimately stars from Hollywood to Oman.  He said he believes in selling his ideas to corporate houses instead of individuals as the corporate houses will get mileage out of the event organized.

Rajeev's belief in building lasting personal relationships with people has held him in good stead and when it comes to dependability and trust, there are people who swear by him, which is further proved by the fact that he is organizing the finale for the Muscat Festival for the fourth time in a row. 

Kudos to you Rajeev Choudhary.  Mangalorean.com wishes you all the very best in all your future undertakings.

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