Bid to lure stars to 1860 event Negotiations are under way to secure Bollywood’s “royal family”, the Bachchans, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and Tamil superstar Raj-nikanth for next year’s celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa.
The 1860 Commemoration Council, one of three bodies organising events to mark the milestone on November 17, are liaising with the “stars’ people”. The council, which changed its name from the Indentured Indian Arrival Committee (IIAC) last year, unveiled its plans at a luncheon at uShaka Marine World yesterday. Spokesman Seelan Archary said : “We want to have a mega-bash on the weekend after November 17 at the Moses Mabidha Stadium and, if that is not available, we will opt for the Absa Stadium. “In terms of the entertainment, we want to bring out AR Rahman and his orchestra. We are in talks with the Bachchan family. We are sending a team of people to book their shows and look at costs. “Not wanting to leave out the south Indian community, every effort will be made to bring Rajnikanth to make an appearance. We want him to join South Africans to celebrate this momentous event.” Archary said local entertainers would also feature in the line-up aimed at a multi-cultural audience. He said a multi-faith service would be held on November 16 and 17. Indians first arrived in South Africa by ship on November 16 1860 and disembarked the following day. The council will also use the 150th-year celebration to help the needy. Krish Gokool, head of the 1860 Heritage Foundation, said his body was negotiating with a large conglomerate for land on which to build a monument. “We have identified a few sites along the coast. The monument will contain a museum of wax figures and will capture important aspects of South African history, not just that of the indentured Indians,” he said. Fazel Khan, spokesman for the recently formed 1860 Legacy Foundation, said the body was “in the process of compiling a strategic plan”. http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=1035789 -- regards, Vithur
