Sindhi melo (festival) in Oman

[Gul Agha <gul.agha@gmail.com>]

http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=11886&pn=local

 Sindhi festival today

MUSCAT — The spotlight is on the Sindhi community in Oman as they set
about to unveil one of the biggest melas (festival) — Sindhun Jo Melo
— of its kind here today at the Temple Hall in Darsait.

Two of the biggest names in the Sindhi entertainment scene will be
here to give that extra-special Sindhi flavour to the event, which
will begin from 8pm to 11pm, Ashok Laungani, manager, Grill House, who
is one of the main organisers, said yesterday.

The two famous artistes are Parmanand Piyasi of Palanpur (Sindhi
comedian and singer) and Kishore Wadhwani of Bilaspur (Sindhi singer).

"This is the first time such a big Sindhi programme is being organised
and we want the Sindhi community to turn up in a big way," Ashok said,
adding that he expected close to 600 of the Sindhi community members
to participate in the mela.

"I welcome all Sindhis to this programme — let us all join hands and
celebrate Mata Ki Chowki (bhajans)," he said.

"This will be a great opportunity for Sindhis to meet other Sindhis.
In fact, we do not have a full-fledged organised set up like members
of the other Indian community. Most of them have strong units under
Indian Social Club (ISC) and our community does not have such an
organised set up here.

"But, to be honest, most of the Sindhis here are in top positions and
leaders of the Indian community here. But, we have not managed to
bring them all under one roof and this is going to be quite an
occasion," Ashok enthused.

"We hope to have a more organised Sindhi set up here and this will be
an ideal platform from where we can plan our future programmes,
activities and even mull over the idea of having an organised Sindhi
body under the social club," he added.

Ashok noted that the organisers were jubilant to have Piyasi and
Wadhwani in their midst. "These two are incredible duos. Piyasi is the
Johnny Lever of the Sindhi community here and Wadwhani, the Sindhi
Kishore Kumar," Ashok said.

Piyasi has an impressive record: He has performed in 27 countries and
around 13 volumes of his jokes, comedy CDs have been released. He is
also acting in a Sindhi film, Kanwar Sahib, which is currently under
production. Since the last 21 years he has been performing for a group
called Parmanand Piyasi of Palanpur.

Wadhwani, who is Piyasi's associate, is another luminary. He has also
got a string of successes in his career and has managed to whip up
musical ecstasy wherever he has gone.

Both, are incidentally, coming from Dubai, where they have been
successful regaling the Sindhi community for the last two months with
their special brand of fun, entertainment and musical delight.

The event is free and is open to the Sindhi community here. The
programme, which will be held from 8pm to 11pm, will also feature a
scrumptious langar prasad (dinner), organised again by the Sindhi mela
committee members, which include Ashok, Om Prakash Daryani, Naresh
Matlani, Ram Kaurani, and K. M. Gurnani.