India Live

August 9, 12-8 p.m.

700-block of Granville Street

THE South Asian Family Association, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization, is bringing the culture of India to the downtown core. As part of the City of Vancouver and Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association’s Viva Vancouver series, India Live will highlight cultural activities of the Indian diaspora through music, dance, art and sport.

On the main stage, the event will focus on providing a highlight of Canadian talent. With so many amazing artists in our local community and across Canada, the event will showcase performance pieces that vary from traditional to modern in style. Featured local talents include Yasmina Dance Academy, Neelamjit Quartet, Now or Never Dance Crew, Lapis featuring beatboxer Rup Sidhu and sitarist Mohammed Assani, Vijay’s Brass Band and South Asian Arts amongst others.

The evening will be closed out with a performance by Toronto based, Manj Musik, formerly known as the lead vocalist for the well known Punjabi group RDB. Manj recently came out as a solo artist, after the passing of his brother and bandmate. With 10 successful years as RDB under his belt, he aspires to continue the legacy of his brother and stride to new artistic heights as Manj Musik. Earlier this year he released his first album under the new moniker, entitled The Album. He also has a guest appearance and new song in the upcoming movie Dr. Cabbie produced by Salman Khan, which hits theatres on September 19.

Dr. Cabbie is a heartwarming comedy about a young Indian doctor who immigrates to Canada and faces roadblocks in his effort to heal others but discovers his true purpose, and true love, along the way. India Live is excited to present not only Manj Musik, but also be hosting a special guest appearance by Dr. Cabbie himself, Vinay Virmani. Virmani plays the lead character, Deepak Chopra, an unemployed doctor-turned-cab driver, after he fails to secure a job in medicine. He goes on to become a local hero when he converts his taxi into a mobile clinic.

Throughout the rest of the festival grounds, attendees will have the opportunity to get more interactive and join with physical activities such as yoga classes by Karma Teachers, Bhangra 101 classes by South Asian Arts, gatka (an Indian martial art) demonstrations by the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, and much more.

They will also be able to participate by creating a large scale rangoli, have their hands adorned with henna tattoos, be glommed up with Bollywood makeovers provided by London Drugs, dress up in South Asian outfits in front of our photo backdrop, dance along with a live music from MiB Roadshow and explore cultures good through a small vendor marketplace.

“We are very excited to provide this unique opportunity to engage in Indian culture up close and personal in both active and passive experiences,” says SAFA board member Nina Sohi-Brar. “We encourage attendees to join in and immerse themselves within the culture and get hands-on with the many workshops and interactive experiences available to them.”

(Contributed)

(PHOTO: Manj Musik)