Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 24, 2018
A musical duo, famous for their compositions and performances in the Hindi film industry and Indian television channels, are set to perform in Auckland next month.
Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, known for their versatility will perform at the Vodafone Events Centre, located at 770 Great South Road, Manukau on April 13, 2018.
Organised by the Aga Khan Ismaili National Council for Australia and New Zealand, the forthcoming programme is a part of a series of global concerts to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Aga Khan.
Mr is the 49th hereditary Spiritual Leader (since July 11, 1957), reportedly in direct lineal descent from Prophet Mohammed. He is recognised as a global leader for his work in international development through his independent, non-denominational ‘Aga Khan Development Network’ which functions in partnership with the New Zealand government amongst other partners worldwide.
Tickets for the Concert, which will also feature Raj Pandit, Sukriti Kakar and Vipul Metha, are now on sale at eventfinda.co.nz
About the Merchants
Although born and raised in Mumbai, Salim and Sulaiman are natives of Mundra of Kutch Province in Gujarat.
Inspired by their father Sadruddin Merchant, who led Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India. Steeped in the family tradition of music, Salim mastered the Piano, qualified from the Trinity College of Music in London while Sulaiman became proficient in the Tabla with experience for accompanying Taufiq Qureshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain, known as the ‘Legends of the Tabla.’
Salim and Sulaiman have scored for many Hindi films, including ‘Neal ‘N’ Nikki,’ ‘Chak De India,’ ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ and ‘Fashion.’
The Small Screen
The duo has also composed for many Indi-pop performers such as Viva, Aasmaan, Shweta Shetty, Jasmine and Style Bhai, and have composed and produced several TV commercials and collaborated with artistes such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan.
They are also credited with working for Hindi film stalwarts such as Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma.
Salim Merchant was one of the three judges for the Fifth season of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television (India).
Mounting excitement
He said that he was excited to perform at Jubilee Concerts in Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne.
“We have a special set that has been designed for ANZ Tour and hope all members will join us. The audience will experience a wide range of contemporary and traditional music. The Concert will instill a greater appreciation of the various genres of South Asian music including Qawwali, Sufi, Folk and Bollywood Indian Cinema,” he said.
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