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Harmony and symphony

Music created magic at the hallowed walls of Purana Qila when several rock bands from SAARC region performed at eighth edition of South Asian Bands Festival which was held from 7 – 9 November. The three-day music festival was presented by Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Seher.

The Festival featured 14 popular rock bands from eight countries which are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) -Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Observer country - France and host India.

‘Music has no boundaries, with the same ideology this festival brings together Asian countries. It also provides a rare opportunity for the Indian audience to enjoy and appreciate the music created across the subcontinent’, said Sanjeev Bhargava, Festival Director, South Asian Bands Festival. 

‘Started in 2007, the festival has become one of Delhi’s most eagerly awaited cultural extravaganzas and year after year people of all ages look forward to the best bands from the South Asian region to be showcased at the festival.

Coming together of some of the most talented musicians on one platform at the magnificent Purana Qila is the best and truest representation of regional integration through Culture,’ he added. This platform brings together the finest acts from the SAARC countries.  This year the festival featured performance by Alobo Naga and The Band (ANB) from Dimapur, Nagaland formed in 2010, they won the Best Indian Act at a European music awards ceremony in 2012.

Pakistani singing sensation Zebunissa Bangash popularly known as Zeb, who recently made her foray into Bollywood with her hit tracks in films like Madras Café and Highway.  Known for her Coke Studio fame, Zeb mesmerised the audience through her rich and textured soundscapes and melodies yet again. The festival also featured a band from France – Success as a Guest Country Band, which is also the Observer to SAARC.

The electro-rock band from France consists of vocalist YannChéhu, guitarists Julien Richer, Dan Voisin on the Electronic keyboard and drummer Joel Daventry, are known for their unique style of contemporary rock performance combined with traditional heavy metal, rock n’ roll and electro rock. Apart from them, the audience was enthralled by the electronic-rock band Pentagram from Mumbai amongst others.
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