Muscat: Popular Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram will perform along with some of the world's top entertainers for the opening of the seventh Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) to be held from March 24 to 31.
One of the world's fastest percussionist, Anandan Sivamani; dance sensation Isha Sharvani, Daksha Seth and troupe and popular Omani singer, Salah Al Zadjali will joinNancy Ajram at the Grand Hall of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)for the opening night of MIFF.
"Although this is a film festival, one should not forget that we have opening and closing nights and we want them packed with entertainment so that the audience has something extra special to take home," commented Khalid Al Zadjai, Chairman of the MIFF and the Oman Film Society (OFS).
" For the opening, we have these stars who will surely sizzle on stage and it will add to the glitz and glamour," he added.
Considered by many as an Arabic music icon of the decade, Nancy, 28, was described on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the most influential personalities of the Middle East. Incidentally, she is the first and only Middle-Eastern artist ever mentioned on the show.
Nancy, who was dubbed by Oprah as the "Britney Spears of the Middle East", has made the list of Most Powerful Arabs on Arabian Business several times, and was similarly listed by Newsweek as one of the most influential Arabs.
Nancy's official Facebook page is the most subscribed Arabic artist page on the social-networking site and the first to reach one million subscribers, and her music video for "Fi Hagat" was an Internet phenomenon and was one of the most viewed Arabic music video on the Internet, on Youtube with over 20 million views.
Sivamani is an Indian percussionist who has taken the music world by storm with his electrifying beats. Hailed as one of the fastest drummer on earth, Sivamani is as adept on the Udukai, Darbuka and Octoban as he is with drums.
Sivamani, who has been drumming at the age of seven began his career in music when he was just 11 and has not looked back ever since.
The dance sensation, Isha Sharvani, who is the daughter of renowned dancer Daksha Seth and Australian music composer Davissaro is all set to amaze the audience with their near gravity defying aerial dance at the MIFF.
Isha, along with her mother Daksha and their athletic and supremely talented dancers are known to perform the most difficult of dances with such elan, grace and dexterity. Isha, who has also acted in movies like Kisna (2005), Luck by Chance (2009) is trained in kathak, chau, kalaripayattu, yoga, rope and pole mallakhamb.
Salah Al Zadjali is a proud new generation Omani musician who is said to be revamping the face of Omani music. He has been in the limelight for his pop style songs on Arabic music TV channels.
This Omani musical icon's popular music clip ‘Asa Ma Yohashek Ghali', which became an instant hit, had a very fresh and unique approach to it with a touch of fusion.
Today, Salah's musical mission is to try to create a fusion in the world of Khaleeji music, and produce something unique to the typical mainstream line that is Khaleeji music. He is known to sing for the youth, for the children, for soccer and for his country, Oman.
His passion for music is only superseded by his love for his country. As he says: "Anything for Oman."
