THE Muscat Icon 2012 selects Arabic singers
AFTER auditioning 20 aspirants ‘Talent Hunters’ have chosen three Arabic Singers who will sing in the Grand Finale of Muscat Icon 2012, to be held on March 22 at Qurum Amphitheatre. They will undergo practice sessions and training with Live Music Band.
Haithem Mohammed Rafi is 18-year-old Omani talent. After passing Grade XII from the school, at present he is undergoing a course in ‘Cabin Crew Training’ at NHI. He started singing at very early age of 8 years. He belongs to a family of singers and music lovers. His father Mohammed Rafi is a well-known singer in Muscat.
His sister Asma was on fa- mous and highly rated reality singing show in India Sa Re Ga Ma. So he grew up with musical ears. At this young age he plays guitar (both Spanish and Electric), piano (Org), Oud and harmonium. He is also a writer and composer. He can sing in 5 different languages Arabic, Hindi, English, Spanish and Baloshi. His ambition is to make big in the field of music and make every Omani take pride in it. He feels musicians/singers need more support, encourage and platform like Muscat Icon in Oman to showcase their talent.
Abdurahman is a 30-yearold Omani musician and singer. He plays trumpet in the Royal Oman Police Scout Band. He started playing keyboard at an age of 10 but took up singing at an age of 15. He was very impressed by well-known Omani -Balushi singer Hussain Sa- far and learnt a lot from him. He writes Balushi lyrics and has two music albums to his credit.
He is well-known in Baluchistan and has performed on Baloach TV also. He was also on Hala FM in Oman. He also feels a lot has to be done for someone to take up music and singing as a profession and make a living out of it in Oman. “Royal Oprah House is the greatest gift to music and performing arts lovers of Oman by His Majesty. I dream of performing there,” he said.
Ahmed Sikmani a 24-yearold Syrian national who has spent his entire childhood in Oman. He is a student of Int College of Engineering and management (ICEM). He is an actor, a model and a singer. He is very passionate about singing and wants to actually pursue a career in music. He is studying engineering as an alternative career under pressure from family. He has been regularly singing and performing professionally with a band in Oman. He has been participating in fashion shows also.
He dreams of becoming a famous Arabic singer. His grew up in a family of music lovers. His one uncle works with Fadel Shaker and other uncle works with Noor Mohanna, both very famous Arabic musicians. He likes traditional songs, classical songs sung by famous Arabic singers Om Kulthoum and Abdul Haleem Fairooz.
Muscat Gujarati Samaj of Indian Social Club recently organised a unique Patang Mahotsav — Kite Flying Festival — to coincide with the famous Makar Sankranti celebrations. The event was held on January 13 at the Qurum Beach and attracted a massive crowd of enthusiasts.
The event started off early in the morning and very soon the sky around the Qurum Beach was full off colourful and vivid kites, each one impressing the audience with its own unique style statement. The sky was virtually turned into a spectacular amalgamation of colours and shapes as onlookers of all nationalities took keen interest in the proceedings.