Popular Mappila singer from Kerala Rehana Nilambur leading the show organised by the Youth Forum at the West End Park in Mesaimeer on Eid day. BELOW: Artistes present oppana.
DOHA: The monumental amphitheatre at the newly opened West End Park in Mesaimeer attracted thousands of expatriates, including children and families, at a musical show on the first day of Eid Al Adha.
The show featured popular singers from the southern Indian state of Kerala, who enthralled the audience with hit numbers from the traditional Mappila songs of the Muslim community in the state.
Mappila songs are said to have their origin in the songs of the Arab sea fearers, who had landed on the coasts of Kerala hundreds of years ago. The music then became an integral part of the Muslim culture and traditions in the state, still maintaining its charm through renderings by popular singers, composers and lyricists.
The show titled Eid Malhar was organised by Youth Forum, a socio-cultural organisation of Keralite expatriates with support of the Community Policing department at the Ministry of Interior and Media Plus, as event managers.
The show was led by Rehana, a popular Mappila singer from Kerala and was joined by noted and upcoming singers Anas Alapuzha, Akbar Akku, Akbar Chavakkad and Qatar-based singers Neetha and Fazil.
A special performance by young Doha-based artistes presenting a fusion of Mappila art forms oppana, kolkali and dafmuttu added colour to the show. An Arabic style welcome dance was also performed by children as a symbol of solidarity with Qatar.
The main sponsor of the event was the recently-opened Grand Mall Hypermarket at West End Park, the first Doha outlet of the Dubai based Regency Group.
The Peninsula
