India Live Vancouver Poster

South Asian Family Association, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit, will bring the culture of India to the downtown core next month. 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.

With so many amazing artists in our own community and across Canada, the event will showcase performance pieces that vary from traditional to modern in style. The talented local lineup will 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 round off with a performance by Toronto-based Manj Musik, formerly known as lead vocalist for popular Punjabi group RDB. Manj recently went solo after the passing of his brother and bandmate.

Manj Musik
[Manj Musik]

Manj hopes to continue the legacy of his brother and reach a new artistic level as Manj Musik. Earlier this year, Manj released The Album, his first under the new moniker. He also has a guest appearance (and a new song) in the upcoming movie Dr. Cabbie, produced by Salman Khan, which hits theatres on September 19.

India Live will not only bring Manj Musik to Vancouver, but will also host 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. Chopra goes on to become a local hero when he converts his taxi into a mobile clinic.

You’ll have the opportunity to partake in yoga classes by Karma Teachers, Bhangra 101 classes by South Asian Arts, and gatka (an Indian martial art) demonstrations by the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy.

In addition, participate in the creation of a large-scale rangoli, have your hands adorned with henna tattoos, get glammed up with Bollywood makeovers provided by London Drugs, dress in South Asian outfits in front of a photo backdrop, dance along to live music from MiB Roadshow, and check out a 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.”

India Live

Date: August 9, noon to 8 pm
Venue: 700 Block of Granville Street, Vancouver
Admission: FREE

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