Alaap and Channi Singh
Punjabi is the language of over half a billion people around the world and Channi Singh is the godfather of bhangra music in the Western World. Channi is the founder, lead singer, producer, director of Alaap. He came from Malerkotla, Punjab to the UK in 1975 and gradually popularized Punjabi music among the Punjabi youth in the UK, forming the Alaap group in 1977 with other talented musicians. By using both Western and Punjabi folk instruments, the group produced a new and more modern style in Punjabi music, later known as UK Bhangra.In 1992, Alaap became the first Asian British bhangra band to perform in Pakistan.
Mosaic Festival is proud to bring Alaap band to Canada for this free full concert performance on Saturday 17th of August at our main stage. Their energy and spirit is the driving force that has kept them in the music industry for over 30 years. Presenting Alaap at Mosaic is our tribute to these pioneers who helped put Bhangra music on the forefront of representational music from Indian subcontinent. Alaap will present special tribute to Nusrat Fathe Ali Khan, the powerhouse of devotional music through genre of Qawalli making him one of the most famous names in music right next to Ravi Shankar.
