WHO would believe that the rich and elite of our society would do such things as jump out of their seats to dance to Shreya Ghoshal’s music, use all their might to blow her

a whistle with their fingers, or rush to the front of the stage to put out their dance moves?
Well it all happened when the gorgeous 28-year-old sensation performed incredibly well during her concert at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, last Sunday evening.
Make no mistake about it, we are not saying that the rest of Guyanese present did not have a ball as well. In fact, a lot, if not most of the noise, came from behind the VVIP section. But compared to the Sonu Nigam show last April, when the front audience was all quiet in their seats, it was surprising to see how extraordinary they responded to Shreya’s performance.
Shreya held the attention of the thousands of Guyanese who turned up at the show for the almost three hours of her stunning performance. Her good-looking figure in tightly fitted black pants and a silver top only served to add to the delight of her fans.
The gorgeous superstar threw out hit after hit, at times rendering her audience awestruck at the notes she pulled in executing her songs. She was simply great!
“I’m so excited to perform for you,” she told the audience at one point. She was on tour in North America and the Caribbean, and made her final stop here, before boarding a plane Sunday night to Bombay.
Among the songs Shreya sang were ‘Dola re Dola’ from the movie Devdas which she said was the one that marked her beginning. She also made known how the voice of Lata Mangeshkar inspired her and is the reason for her singing today.
During the tour, she said she met Jeffrey Iqbal, who also delivered an awesome performance and whom she described as an adorable and fantastic guy. It is not clear if she also met Prithvi Gandharv on the tour as well. He too performed outstandingly well.
Iqbal invited his fans to hit him up on Facebook and said one thing he noticed was that Guyana had a lot of pretty ladies. He said so just before bursting the Kal Ho Na Ho tune: “Pretty Woman.”
Just before performing a ‘Rafi’ song, he said he heard how the Guyanese crowd loves the music from the older folks.
The show, by and large, came off well, and was the first activity of a month of activities hosted by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha this year, in celebration of Diwali. Executive Member Dr Vindhya Persaud told the Chronicle after the show that it was good to see how Guyanese responded to Shreya’s performance.
She deems the concert a success and opined that there ought to be more of such events where the entire family can go out and have fun. Fun without alcohol mind you, as none was permitted on the ground.
Present were President Donald Ramotar and his wife Deolatchmie, along with former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, and other government functionaries, who were all invited up on stage to interact with Shreya after the programme.
Digicel, E-Networks, ICEE, Sunburst, NTN, Guytrac, Kares Engineering Inc, TVG, EZJet, Karibee Rice, Chris Auto Sales, Rent-a-tent, Digicom, Guyoil, MTV, Princess Hotel, Len’s, Chand’s Printery, Ashmins and Giftland Office Max all generously supported the event.

SHELTER
Much of the proceeds of the concert will go towards the construction of a Shelter or ‘halfway home’ in Berbice to house and protect children and vulnerable groups. Some of the proceeds will also go towards the rehabilitation of the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar.
The Dharmic Sabha launched its ‘Voices against Child Abuse’ programme in April 2010 and has since been working towards the construction of the shelter.
The land has been donated by the Government of Guyana at Anchorville, Berbice, and the building is expected to house a maximum of 30 children. There will also be provisions there for mothers with babies.
The facility will include kitchen and dining areas, a playroom, laundry room, health clinic, classroom, library and counselling rooms. Furthermore, recreational facilities will be sited on the surrounding land.
Children will be provided with shelter until the situation is resolved and they could safely re-integrate into their family homes, foster care or long-term facility. The shelter will keep children for a maximum duration of six months while trained staff will work with stakeholders t
o resolve all pertinent issues.
Staff will include an administrator, councillors, nurse, cooks, handyman, cleaners, and tutor, and a board of directors will make decisions and policies. These directors will include representatives of the Sabha, government, and other stakeholders.

SHREYA
Shreya has so far won four National Film Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, five IIFA Awards, five Screen Awards, and numerous other awards! She is the most awarded female playback singer in the Indian Film industry today, and is probably the youngest singer with four national awards.
She has worked in more than 180 films, and is also listed among Asia’s top 5 female singers for 2012, having been a judge for Star Voice of India – Chhote Ustaad — and one of the judges in X-Factor (India) with Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Her hits include Ooh la la Ooh la la from the Dirty Picture; Chikni Chameli from Agneepath; Saachi Sachi and Tere Mast Mast do Nain from Dabbang; Teri Meri from Bodyguard; Saibo from Shor in the City; Piya o re Piya from Tere Naal Ho Gaye Na; and  Mashallah from Ek Tha Tiger.
Her bhajan – Prabhujisada hi kripa — pictured on Abha in the ZeeTV Soap Yahaan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli, is also hugely popular in Guyana. Along with her current hits, Shreya will sing her all-time hits like Teri Ore from Singh is King; Dola re Dola from Devdas; Bahaara from I hate Luv Stories; Chahengetumhe bas from Vaah Life ho to Aisi; Mere Dholna from Bhool Bhulaiya; Piyu Bole from Parineeta; Zoobie Doobie from Three Idiots; Yeh Ishq Hai from Jab we Met; Jaadu Hai Nasha from Jism, and many more.