Rocking high voltage New Year Eve with Bappi Lahiri

Chicago IL: After successfully hosting ‘Chicago Indian Icon’, the Indian Event management conducted a Charismatic concert featuring the man popularly known as the ‘Indian King of Disco’ – Bappi Lahiri performing first time for a New Year’s Eve event in Chicago at Ashyana Banquets. The five members of the Indian Event Management team, Brij Sharma (President), Pratibha Jairath (Vice President), Sharan Walia (Director of Planning and Management), Raju Bankapur (Director of Entertainment and Execution), Anoop Walia (Director of Public Relations and Business Services) have worked very hard and once again, made their mark by this New Year Eve event with Bappi Lahiri.

The program started with a few songs by Chicago Indian Icon Singers Praveen Jaligama and Dr. Jency Elakkatt Akkalat. This was followed by Anoop Walia of the IEM Team who brought people to the dance floor with his two songs Yeh kaali kaali ankhen and Na Na Na Re. The Dance Team performance by Noman Khan and team was breadth taking.

Not before long, at 9:40, the hall was bursting with excitement of the announcement of Bappi Da arriving on stage and the Saregama Orchestra’s Intro music of Pag Ghungroo Baandh.. Bappi Da was escorted through the Audience which crowded over him and had to be controlled by the Security as he made his way through to the stage.

Once Bappi Da started the show, there was non-stop dancing. The audience was in a frenzy, crowding the stage and seemed uncontrollable. Some of his sentimental songs brought tears to the eyes of the fans. He started program with a prayer KRISHNA, followed by dance and romantic melodious numbers such as Disco dancer, Tama Tamma, Inteha ho gayee, Yaar bina, Koi yahaan, Ooh lala and so on. He was accompanied by Raju Bankapur, Pratibha Jairath, and Jency Ekkallat.

The Ten Piece Orchestra by Hitesh Master’s SAregama consisted of Two Keyoards, Lead and Bas Guitars, Trumpets, Saxophones, Drums, Dhol, Dholak, And Octopads.

Brij Sharma, the IEM president was very excited to see audience so excited to see Bappi Da. He said “What an amazing year with two successful events Chicago Indian Icon and New Year’s Eve, both with great celebrities from India!…Just wait and watch what we present in 2014”.

Raju Bankapur and Pratibha Jairath, our own Chicago artists presented their music perdormance after Bappi Lahiri’s 45 min session. They captivated and rocked the audience with their melodious and foot tapping dance numbers like Yeh Sama, Kaisi Paheli, Zooby Doobie, Aaj Kale tere mere, Ina Mina, Badtameez DIl, Yeh Mera DIl Bachna Ae Haseeno, Munni Badnaam etc.

Bappi Da’s performance proved that the man who is credited to have introduced disco to India has so much more going for him. His perfect renditions of lyrically melodious numbers which are popular even today showed that the man responsible for some of the greatest hits of the eighties was equally at home singing semi classical numbers as well as the western peppy songs. It is to Bappida’s credit that he is one of those rare music directors of his times in India who have the ability to sing their own compositions like their western counterpart. He is planning on releasing his new CD “War peace love and harmony” in near future.

Around 11:30, Bappi Da was back on stage enthralling the crowd once again. He continued with his Rocking Disco Numbers and medleys through the New Year’s countdown. Party favors were distributed and the Balloon drop showered the dancers with Gold Silver and Black Balloons . The room was filled with enthusiastic people wishing each other Happy New Year. The Entire IEM team with their families were on stage with Bappi Da dancing at the countdown.

The Arrangements at Ashyana were exemplary. The food was scrumptious,with a wide array of selection and was served from 9:00 until 2:00 am. The Bars were open and the people sang, danced, and dined all through the evening into the late hours with DJ Music by DJ Nilesh.

Bappi Da invited a few people from audience to the stage. A number of people got pictures taken with him. He mesmerized everyone with his personality. It will be a memorable evening for everyone.