Bollywood star Ila Arun swings into Winnipeg

A Musical Sandstorm from India is blowing into Winnipeg. Bollywood star Ila Arun and her group of 39 singers and dancers are presenting a dazzling extravaganza at the McPhillips Station Casino Friday, October 28.

It's all in honour of the Year of India in Canada.

The Indian government, in association with the Indian High Commission in Canada have undertaken some exciting events to celebrate. One of the splashiest is this special concert, which is part of a cross-Canada tour.  The Winnipeg event is presented by the India Association of Manitoba with the University of Manitoba.

Ila Arun is one of the biggest musical names in India.  You may know her voice from her hit song, Ringa Ringa in the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Ila is also an actress, playwright, poet and lyricist. 

Ila is from the Rajasthani district in northwest India.  She started off as a folk dancer and singer. Her first recording from 1986, Banjaran, was a huge success. More albums followed, but it was with the song Morni from the film Lamhe that made her a household name.  Her performance style is described as mysterious, earthy, and vibrant.  She likes to dramatize her songs to give her audience a sense of the different aspects of her country, its moods and seasons, fairs and festivals, monsoons, deserts, palace life and gypsy life. 

The Ila Arun Group is promising an incredible show mixing folk and and contemporary pop music and dance.  Some highlights will be snake dancers, balladeers and tribal dancers.