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Indian Independence Day Concert : Live Performance by Shaan : August 17, 2014, Colombo

To commemorate the 68th Independence Day of India, the Indian CEO Forum, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, organised an Independence Day Concert by the famous Indian singer, Shaan (Shantanu Mukherjee) at Stein Studio in Colombo on 17 August 2014.

The President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the First Lady, graced the occasion as the Chief Guests, and were welcomed by Mr Y. K. Sinha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Mrs Girija Sinha and Mr Sanjay Tiwari, President of the Indian CEO Forum. Other prominent guests included Leader of Opposition Hon’ble Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prof Maithree Wickremesinghe; Minister of External Affairs Hon’ble Prof. G. L. Peiris and Mrs Savithri Peiris; Minister of Petroleum Industries, Hon’ble Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and his family; TNA  leader Hon’ble R. Sampanthan and other Members of Parliament. Senior officials from the Government of Sri Lanka including Secretary to the President, Mr Lalith Weeratunga, and the Foreign Secretary, Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne, were also present on the occasion. Around two thousand invitees enjoyed the  concert. 

This was Shaan’s first performance in Sri Lanka. He expressed his delight at the opportunity to perform in Colombo at the invitation of the High Commission of India, and more so in the presence of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka. Shaan enthralled the audience with his vast repertoire of songs for more than three hours, including his  recent hits as well as some evergreen numbers from an era gone by.  Befitting the occasion Shaan sang a few patriotic songs, which were followed by a song each in Sinhala and Tamil. He also sang some popular English songs. His melodious rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn “Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye” enthralled the audience.  Shaan  sang a number of songs on popular demand, and  the concert, which invoked an enthusiastic response, went on till well into the night.  Shaan confessed that he was completely overwhelmed by the appreciation shown by the audience.