Eight music directors from Kerala will take the stage on Friday, February 20, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The show is called Jamgraab, a title made up of the first letters of the names of the eight music directors – Jassie Gift, Alphons Joseph, Mejo Joseph, Gopi Sundar, Rahul Raj, Anil Johnson, Afzal Yusuf and Bijibal.
The concert series was launched with a bang last year in Calicut, Kerala, where it received a tremendous response from Malayalam film music fans. Sharjah is the second stop and they are planning a world tour across cities in the US, UK and Australia.
Presented in the UAE by Oneness Mediamill and Razmatazz Events, Jamgraab features a 100-member team, including music composers, singers and the orchestra.
So how did eight music directors with uniquely individualistic styles hit upon the idea to get together on a global stage, overcoming the stereotypical ego and rivalry that the film industry is known for?
"Actually we're all part of a musicians' union in the Malayalam film industry," says music director Gopi Sundar, who has composed hit numbers for films such as Anwar, Usthad Hotel and Bangalore Days. "Outside of movies, we're like a bunch of friends who hang out together and talk music. So during one of our chats, we came up this idea of forming a group and making music together."
Shajoon Kariyal, who has made films such as Thachiledathu Chundan and the critically acclaimed Vadakkumnadhan, will be directing the show, which is performed on a digitised stage, complete with pyrotechnics.
“In Calicut, we had a 60-foot digital wall and 300,000 watts stereophonic sound – all this was seen for the first time in Kerala. We plan to double all this in Sharjah,” Kariyal said.
But the biggest draw, says Sundar, is to see eight music directors performing their hit songs together on one stage.
Why did they choose Sharjah for their second show?
“The UAE has the maximum number of Malayalees outside Kerala, so it was a natural choice to take our music to them first outside India. We know they have a great love for music,” says Kariyal.
“We were taken aback by the passion for music people of Calicut had,” Sundar adds. “It started pouring midway through our concert and the audience continued enjoying the music, using chairs to cover their heads. That made big news there and the word has spread here, too, through family and friends.”
Sundar is known to have made film stars such as Prithviraj and Dulquer Salman sing in their movies. So will we get to see any actors crooning?
“When stars come, the whole spotlight is on them, whereas, we want to focus on the composers and their music,” he says. “So we don’t plan on bringing stars aboard.”
“Music should be the star of the evening,” says Kariyal.
However, the concert will feature performances from popular singers, including Najeem Arshad, Ranjini Jose, Preethi Bhalla, Sangeetha, Ajith and Saumya.
Apart from Malayalam chartbusters and golden oldies, Jamgraab will also present hit Tamil and Hindi numbers.
The performers
Jassie Gift
He stormed the Malayalam music charts with the song Lajjavathiye, which he wrote and sang, from the movie 4 the People. He has also written and sung for Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. His filmography includes Pattalam and Pokkiri Raja.
Alphons Joseph
Best known for singing Aaromale, composed by A R Rahman. Films he's composed for include Vellithira, Jalotsavam and Big B, which included a hit by Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal.
Mejo Joseph
Made his debut with the film Notebook in 2006. Followed up with scores for Traffic, Chapters and Cycle.
Gopi Sundar
He's the reigning hitmaker of the Malayalam film industry. Sundar has composed chartbusters for films such as Anwar and ABCD, as well as unforgettable lilting melodies in Usthad Hotel, Bangalore Days and How Old Are You.
Rahul Raj
He quit a lucrative job in London as a network specialist to pursue a career in music. Known to use elements of western classical music, he's one of the few Malayalam composers to have a fans' association. Much-acclaimed and honoured with awards for his work in Ritu, his other films include Bachelor Party and Kili Poyi.
Anil Johnson
An ad man with several well-known jingles to his credit before shifting to the movies, Johnson's filmography includes the superhit Drishyam and Memories.
Afzal Yusuf
Visually challenged since birth, Yusuf strived hard to make a career out of his passion – music. He has given us some great music in films such as Ithu Pathiramanal, Mammootty-starrer Immanuel and 1993 Bombay, March 12, in which Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam sang his first Malayalam song.
Bijibal
Having made his debut with the acclaimed Arabikatha in 2007, Bijibal won the Indian government's National Award for his background score in Kaliyachan. He has composed music for several films, including Idukki Gold, Salt N Pepper and Red Wine.
• Jamgraab is at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, February 20. Tickets cost between Dh35 and Dh500. To book, call 055 823 3635 or 055 948 4400
artslife@thenational.ae
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
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All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
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The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
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The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
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All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
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