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Posted by Dhurga On June - 10 - 2010
“desiFEST Presented by Rogers” returns for their 3rd annual Vancouver concert in the Creekside Park at Science World from 5 PM to 10 PM on June 19th. Celebrating the best in South Asian Canadian talent from across the country.
This year’s Vancouver headliner is acclaimed qawwali singer Shahid Ali Khan, student of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Shahid’s career highlights include composing and performing music for the “Passion of the Christ” soundtrack and performing for the Queen.
Another special Vancouver guest is rap artist IshQ Bector, currently based in India and originally from Winnipeg. Certified in Chinese Medicine with his forte in Acupuncture, Ishq studied acting at the famous Roshan Taneja film studio in Mumbai then went on to host shows on MTV, B4U and Channel V. He has written, produced and sang on films like Dhoom 2, Fight Club and Pyar Ke Side Effects. Since then he has shared the stage with artists like Sean Paul, Mobb Deep, Chamillionaire, John Cena (WWE), and Rishi Rich. Besides releasing his latest CD on Times Music called Dakku Daddy, IshQ was even featured in the hit movie Barsaat alongside Bollywood superstars Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra.
Additional Vancouver performers include Toronto singer Naomi Zaman (whose debut single “Rock Desi” went #1 on Bollywood Radio Berlin in Germany) and local artists Luv Randhawa, Battlekatt, Ray Gill, and many others.
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Canadian Music Week’s first ever Spotlight On India! Friday night was an Urban Showcase featuring artists like Shweta, Prita Chhabra, Shobha, MC JD & JT Roadshow, The Tabla Guy, The Bilz & Kashif and En Karma. It was an amazing night with great music! Check out the pictures!
The crowd was exciting and fabulous! Thanks to the artists that donated their time to raise money for South Asian Womens Centre (SAWC). Amanda Davids kicked off the show with a beautiful performance with her awesome band. Prita Chhabra was next and as always, she got the crowd jumping and moving to her songs. The always beautiful Naomi Zaman wowed us with her powerful voice singing Rock Desi along with a few other exclusive tracks that we will help release very soon! The show ended with an exciting performance from Parichay who debuted his new song Habibi for the crowd. The night ended with DJ Amita spinning a mix of Bollywood, Hip Hop and Dance. It was a great night with a great crowd supporting a great cause!
Thanks to our media sponsors: MyBindi, PakMusic, DesiVibe, Mahiram, Oye! Times and DesiWear
Look out for the performances on Sahara One, OMNI and ATN!
Thank you to everyone that came out to support desi music!
Check out some pictures from the night! Don’t forget, desiFEST 2010! May 29th @ Yonge-Dundas Square!
Be involved in the city’s largest and only South Asian Music Festival…Now is your opportunity!
Volunteer with desiFEST 2010 taking place on May 29 2010, 10am to 10pm…12 hours of music, dance, food, and a whole lot more. Positions are available for all roles including kids zone, merchandise booth, information booth and more….there are many exciting positions just waiting to be filled!
If interested, please email mladha@bluebandmedia.com with your full name, phone number, email address, age, hours you are available and the position you are interested in.
desiFEST will also provide reference letters for your volunteer time upon request.
Initially, it was the love of Bhangra and the desire to perform live music that brought together this group of talented friends. In 2007, finding the need to flex their creative muscle, En Karma began writing and recording their own style of Bhangra music. Now ready for the release of their debut album, and having vastly toured across North America and Europe,En Karma have embarked on a journey that has lead them to be the pioneers of Global Live Bhangra! They have accompanied and shared the stage with many famous North American and International artists such as Malkit Singh, Sam Roberts just mention a few.
Solid musicianship, genuine friendship, and a collective vision have always remained the cornerstones of En Karma’s success.
Since the beginning, En Karma has maintained creative control over their music by writing, playing, and producing all of the music themselves. In a few short years these talented musicians have established themselves in Vancouver’s growing global music scene, and have gained Hugh recognition across Europe and India. The music of En Karma captures the perfect balance of traditional Bhangra and contemporary fusion.
Although there are elements of reggae, R&B, and rock n’ roll in En Karma’s music, they have remained firmly planted in their Bhangra roots. En Karma seems to especially strike a cord with their young South Asian fans. Audience members – who like the band members may have been born outside of India, will feel a connection with the music of Punjab when En Karma takes the stage (no matter where they were born). These six guys prove that talent, endless energy (and not to forget – a sense of humour) can lay the foundation for the modern Bhangra rock star.
This is En Karma!
THE BAND BIOS
RICKY THINDA (BASS)
Playing guitar since the age of 17, Ricky Thinda grew up in Calgary where he played guitar and lent vocals to various English rock bands. Although he initially mastered his guitar skills on the 6-string electric, he made a move to the more alluring bass guitar that provides the deep low-end to En Karma’s music.
INDER KOONER (VOCALS)
By listening to his powerful voice and great grasp of Punjabi, you would never guess that En Karma vocalist Inder Kooner was born and raised in Canada. Only a few years ago he was grappling on the wrestling mat, and today his passion for singing (which started out at family parties and for Bhangra teams) has led him to the role of front man for En Karma.
JP DHESI (DHOLAK)
J.P. Dhesi’s earliest Bhangra music experience began with the Desh Bhagat Youth Club of Vancouver. It was during this time he became fluent in the world of hand percussion and musical composition. This self taught musician has worked with artists such as Jazzy B (J.P. was one of the original members), Hans Raj Hans, Sarbjit Cheema and Malika/Joti.
RAVI BINNING (DHOL)
Coming from a musical family, Ravi Binning has been involved in Bhangra culture since childhood. Playing the dhol drum since theage of 15, he’s developed a unique “infectious style” of drumming which can be defined as the backbone to En Karma’s music. Anyone who has seen Ravi perform would agree that he is indeed the life of a party. He cites his main sources of inspiration as his late brother Deepak Binning and fellow band mates.
PIP DHALIWAL (DRUMS)
Originally from the UK (The second birth place of Bhangra), Pip Dhaliwal has been playing drums and various percussion instruments since his early teens. Having played in countless cities around the globe, Pip brings to En Karma knowledge and an unparalleled musical ability. He has worked with various artists/acts such as DCS, Manmohan Waris and Sukshinder Shinda.
NICK CHOWLIA (KEYBOARDS)
A keyboard virtuoso/producer from the UK, Nick Chowlia has spent much of his early years making loud sounds on stage and in the studio. Having Played in bands such as Achanak, Apna Sangeet, and TSB Goldenstar Nick brings to En Karma one of the most vital ingredients…BRAIN POWER! A host on Red FM, a DJ, a producer, the list goes on…there’s nothing this man can’t do.
Make sure you come and check out En Karma and many more. In the meantime you can find more about En Karma by visiting
Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Kashif is a show-stopping performer, entertainer and an amazing songwriter. Once upon a time the singer-songwriter and composer was one-fifth of Inmotion, Quebec’s most successful French Pop/R&B group. The quintet tasted success at the top of the charts with the #1 hit smash single “Sauve Moi” written by Kashif. Shortly after the R&B crooner’s contract with the group ended, destiny would bring the young superstar to work with long time friends, industry shakers and producers, The Bilz (DJ Vicious & Master D).
Since 2006, Bilz Music has achieved tremendous growth. The Bilz’ 1st single, 2 Step Bhangra, became a huge cross-over phenomenon reaching #4 on the Top 7@7 charts on Z103.5FM in Toronto for 3 weeks, standing just one notch above Beyonce and Justin Timberlake. The Bilz also gained recognition as one of MySpace’s Top 10 Independent Canadian Artists and received over 500,000 views on YouTube. Within one month of release, The Bilz 2nd single, Spanish Fly, gained over 15,000 spins on MySpace and Facebook communities. In 2007, The Bilz & Kashif performed for over 15,000 spectators at RBC’s desiFEST (Dundas Square, Toronto). They also won the “BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR” award for Two Step Bhangra at the 2007 Bollywood MusicAwards in Atlantic City
Make sure you come and check out The Bilz & Kashif and many more. In the meantime you can find more about The Bilz & Kashif by visiting
Come enter the world of Gurpreet Chana, also known as “The Tabla Guy”, a world of exploring and creating sounds in everything we experience through ALL our senses. Watching him perform is an experience which allows you to unleash every momentary emotion as he takes you on a rhythmic journey, in a flurry of passion. Each time, being uniquely distinct with its own characteristics, leaving you speechless, waiting for the next ride.
Gurpreet’s travels along the path of music began 29 years ago. It started from banging his hands on coffee tables, pots, & pans. When his Grandfather, Kesar Singh Chana, saw this enthusiasm he gave him his first Tabla set and there has been no looking back since.
Gurpreet has been taught in the Punjab Gharana (style) from his Ustad Ji Professor Parshotam Singh in Waterloo, ON. He started by playing at the Gurudawara (Sikh Temple) with Kirtan (sacred hymns) and continues to do so. Over the years he has added unique flavours to his music and creates within many genres through recordings and mesmerizing live performances. Having been born, raised and trained in Canada, Gurpreet has had the fortunate opportunity of being introduced to various types of music. Coming from a South Asian background he also had a strong pull towards music from the Indian subcontinent. The music he creates and performs is an expression of the cultural diversity he experienced growing up in a multicultural society. This musical experience is expressed by taking the unique rhythmic and melodic patterns of the tabla and immersing them within all genres of music.
Producers, Choreographers, Composers, and Directors from the Dance, Theatre, Film, and Music worlds are constantly bringing Gurpreet into their realm to tap into his skills and talents. He’s performed and/or recorded with artists such as Bombay Dub Orchestra, Gingger, Jorane, Ron Allen, Juno Award Winning Kiran Ahluwalia, Juno Award Nominee Tanya Tagaq, Ariane Moffatt, Sammy Chand (Rukus Avenue), Rosina Kazi LAL, Jennie Laws, Jugular “The Human Beatbox”, Paul “The Drummer” Nanuwa (together they are known as “Sticky Hands”), Drew Rouse, and many more. He has also recorded with internationally reknown Grammy & Juno Award Winner Nelly Furtado on “Childhood Dreams” and “Forca”, with Wyclef Jean for DJ Rekha’s “Basement Bhangra Anthem”, and opened for Lady Sovereign, Pete Rock, and VINX.
Make sure you come and check out Gurpreet Chana and many more. In the meantime you can find more about Gurpreet Chana by visiting
Over the past year, Prita has achieved a series of career milestones which include touring Canada as part of Desifest (Canada’s national South Asian music festival) ; becoming one of the few Canadian singers to perform at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for key Canadian ministers and dignitaries ; and being the featured music performer at Bollywood star Rahul Bose’s Oxfam benefit in Toronto.
Recently, Prita made history as the first South Asian Canadian musician to open for an artist listed #1 on the Billboard charts, when she opened for British R&B superstar Jay Sean at the Hershey Centre. Prita also became one of the few Canadian singers to be profiled in a national segment for Entertainment Tonight Canada, and was featured alongside world renowned comic Russell Peters at Tampa’s first India International Film Festival.
Prita’s debut EP, “Spread The Word”, consists of her seven original songs with Montreal’s JUNO Nominated Othentic Productions. Prita is currently recording her sophomore EP with one of Canada’s top music exports, fusion band JoSH.
Not only a rising music star, Prita is also a passionate aids activist, having self-directed a short film and released a free single to raise awareness about her HIV/AIDS study trip to Malawi (Africa) last year.
Make sure you come and check out Prita and many more. In the meantime you can find more about Prita by visiting
