Falguni, Sukhbir to perform on Thursday

A special treat which will combine entertainment with charity, is in store for visitors from the Indian subcontinent next Thursday. Falguni Pathak, with her amazing voice and cherubic smile, is all set to perform during the Dubai Shopping Festival and help raise money for Gujarat earthquake victims at the same time.

Falguni, who has a huge following among lovers of Hindi/Urdu music, is popularly known as the Queen of Dandiya. She came into the limelight a few years ago with her hit single, Yaad piya ki anne lagi. A popular MTV artist, Falguni's talent won recognition recently when she received the MTV Video Music Award 2000, for her album, Mene payal hai chankaya. She also won the MTV Viewers' Choice Award 2000 for her single, Meri chunnar ud ud gayi.

The other big attraction at the show will be Sukhbir of the Munde bhangra pa de fame. The organisers are confident that his lively Hindi, Punjabi numbers will be a big hit with the crowd. "Falguni's tantalising melody combined with Sukhbir's catchy numbers will have the crowds dancing," said Rajiv Meherish, event co-ordinator.

"The singers, supported by eight dancers and 12 musicians, will present a show that will be truly memorable." He added that an impressive stage is being designed to make the event even more spectacular. Meherish said that in keeping with the theme of the shopping festival, the organisers have decided to make the event a strictly family show, which means that men will be allowed entry only if accompanied by family members.

The four-and-half-hour show will start at 10pm. It will take place at Al Shabab Football Stadium. Tickets are priced at Dh25 with a limited number at Dh100. "The show is being organised to help the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund," said Madhu Bhandari, one of the organisers. "Part of the money for every ticket sold will go to charity."

Bhandari, explained that Dh10, out of every Dh25, and Dh25 out of every Dh100 would go towards the building of a school in Gujarat. "The money will be handed over to the consul general of India who will forward it to a welfare society to build the school." The organisers are expecting to be able to contribute between Rs1.5 million and Rs2 million (Dh120,000 and Dh160,000).