Promoting Indian culture with music
FOR decades Saraswathie Shainaaz has been promoting Indian culture through music, providing a platform for over 300 artists, including award-winning songstress Shashika Mooruth.
Now under new management, the well-known group are gearing up for a show at the Stanmore Regional Hall in Phoenix, on September 8 at 7pm.
Managed by Dave Meghoo, the upcoming gig will be hosted by ALR Charity and Events, and will also feature the group Nagara Touch.
Saraswathie Shainaaz was formed in 1974 by friends – Anil Deonarain, Ashwin Ramsamujh, Pravesh Kelawan, Rajan Lutchman, Ken Ramlucken, brothers Suresh and Beejay Ragunand, and cousins Reggie and Bobby Luckan, as well as Jinny Chandeep and Basant Ramchandra, who have both passed away.
It earned the reputation of being a crowd pleaser and had become a household name.
The group’s spokesperson, Rajan Lutchman, said he was 20 when he joined as a vocalist.
“Saraswathie Shainaaz started when apartheid was rife and there were not many places of entertainment for the Indian community.
“Music was something that resonated with everyone and gave people joy in trying times, and that is why it had become so popular.”
The band, said Lutchman, strived to promote fellow artists.
“In our earlier years, we worked with now internationally-acclaimed singer Shashika Mooruth, as well as well-known artists such as Mona Regnath Maharaj, Priya Singh, Jenny Maharaj and Pravesh Sunker. They all performed with the band and this helped them hone in on their talents.”
A year after the band was founded, they won their first contest at the Durban City Hall and, in 1992, were named the best band in KZN at a battle of the bands competition.
“We were also privileged to be the opening act for international musicians, including Mohamed Rafi, during his show at the Unit 3B sports ground in Chatsworth.”
Lutchman said they also performed at a welcome reception for Bollywood playback singer Manna Dey, at the Durban City Hall.
When they were not busy with competitions and shows, they were booked out for weddings and birthday parties.
Passionate about promoting Indian music, the band opened the Saraswathie Shainaaz Music Academy earlier this year.
“Through the academy, we want to put together educational programmes in the form of music workshops to help youth and adults enhance their talents.”
Lutchman said the academy would also focus on promoting professional musicians on the national and international circuits.
“Today, we are fortunate enough to pass the legacy on to our children. Desh Ramachandra, the of son Basant Ramachandra, and the children of other band members over the years – such as Sasha Naidoo, the daughter of Suren Harichund, and Rameez Razzack, the son of Ahmed Baboo Razzack – have now joined to take our legacy forward.”
For enquiries on the show, call 082 775 1580.
Tickets can also be purchased at Maharaj’s Prayer Goods in Gem City, Phoenix.