Bollywood tunes at Thames pageant

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The Thames pageant, with its 1,000-boat flotilla, will have 70 Britons of Indian origin playing Bollywood and Scottish tunes to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.

Shree Muktajeevan Pipe and Dhol Ensemble, which was formed in 1972 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, is the only Indian aspect of the Thames pageant.
The 70-member band, which is primarily associated with Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Golders Green, London, will be playing Bollywood tunes like Mera Joota Hai Japani, Dhoom, Yeh Mera Man, O Mere with religious and Scottish tunes.
“The idea to create a band came to the community in 1970 when the spiritual leader of the Swamin-arayan group, Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, visited London. We had a huge religious procession in central London that culminated in Trafalgar Square and had hired a Scottish band to play at the time. It was then the idea was raised to form a band,” Mahesh Varsani, a trustee of the Golders Green temple and a member of the band, told this newspaper.
“To begin with in 1972, when we gave our first performance, we had just a dozen members and they primarily played at religious functions associated with the order,” he added. The band members used to play Scottish tunes from the beginning, but changed to wearing Scottish kilts from 1991 on advice of Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj, the current leader of the community, Mr Varsani said, explaining the Scottish connection.
The 70-member bagpipe and dhol ensemble, will perform on board the music herald barge 5, the City Alpha, and will be a part of the historic and service vessels in the flotilla. The band which has 70 members, ranging from 13 year olds to 50 year olds, will be led by drum major Amit Vekaria.