Daler mesmerises city

The 30-year-old Mehandi, who seemed to have had a well-prepared ground in the hearts of the Vadodara audience 8212; thanks to his popular music cassettes 8212; was a hit right from the word go. His multi-lingual associate, who doubled up as master of ceremonies, only made things easier for him, even earning a standing ovation.

The singer and his band members were earlier welcomed and honoured by Civil Supply Minister Jaspal Singh, Urban Development Minister Kaushikbhai Patel and Mayor Ratilal Desai, besides other senior officials of the district administration.

Prior to the show, Mehandi told reporters that this was not his maiden visit to Vadodara as one of his relatives lived here. He regularly visited the Pavagadh temple, he said.

Highlighting his efforts to project Punjabi folk music and its musical and lyrical components, he said, 8220;While other pop singers were churning out garbage to the audience, I clicked because I was original.8221;

Mehandi said he had a national and a musical dream. 8220;I wish India becomes very prosperous8221;, he said. For himself, he said he hoped he could take pure Punjabi folk music to the top of the international musical arena.