Harbhajan Mann to perform at Winter Olympiad

Talking to The Indian Express,Mann said: “I am happy and feel excited and honoured to have been chosen for the performance. Vancouver is special to me for I grew up there.”

About the cultural diversity of Canada,Mann said: “Canada is a country where a person grows up along with so many races,cultures and nationalities and yet maintains his or her individuality. When we were in school,we were encouraged to perform our traditional dances and music. We grew up learning to appreciate others’ cultures.”

Mann has already flown to Canada to complete formalities for the show.

“The organisers will give me the details of the show,after which I will decide what I am going to perform,” he said.

A press statement issued by Robert Kerr,programme director for the Cultural Olympiad,said South Asian culture was part of Canada and the organisers wanted to showcase arts from this part of the world during the Games.

“It will be an amazing showcase of Bhangra and Indian classical music,” the statement read.

Kerr said other performers would include a Taiwanese dance troupe,Japanese Taiko drummers,and a group of orphaned Ugandan youths.