To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Leicester’s Peepul Centre held a four-hour musical extravaganza, packed with 70 Bollywood songs from over the past 70 years
Hundreds of people turned out for the entertainment on offer yesterday, (Friday, June 3), which featured 70 years of Bollywood songs, incorporating some semi-classical South Asian Ghazals together with traditional Kathak dancing and music.
Musical acts such as Umesh Shah, Micky Sethi and Anil Bhanot entertained those who packed into the Peepul Centre for the four hour musical extravaganza.
Speaking about the event, singer Micky Sethi said that it was one of the highlights of his 27-year-long career.
“To be part of these celebrations is a real honour. Opportunities like these only come around once in a lifetime, and although it was a big responsibility, there was a very special energy which was great to be apart of”, he told the Leicester Times.
“It was beautiful. I really enjoyed it”.
The performers put on a show beside a statue of her Majesty, which was placed on the stage at the Peepul Centre.
Highlights of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 year reign were also played out on a big screen behind the performers.
“It was important for us to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to show how much we appreciate her duty to service, providing a constant reassurance of inclusivity to all communities”, said Anil Bhanot, Chair of the Peepul Centre, who had the honour of attending the Royal wedding of Kate and William back in 2011.
“The atmosphere was amazing – people were very jolly and really got into the spirit of the event, where audience participation was encouraged”, he added.
“When the performers pointed their mics towards the audience, they sang back. It was high energy all the way, with no lulls. People were entertained from start to finish, and very appreciative following the show”.
Elsewhere in Leicester yesterday, a Platinum Jubilee dance and concert also took place at Belgrave Community Centre.
It was attended by Cllr Padmini Chamund, Cllr Mahandra Valland, and Leicestershire Police’s Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews, who labeled it “a grand event”.
