(Trinidad Express) Bollywood playback singer Vineet Singh was unstoppable as he performed for his local fans at “Everybody Loves Raymond–The Concert” on Saturday night.
Singh, 23, delivered a rehearsed repertoire of his latest hit songs during his first session. But in the second segment, Singh proved that was unmatched as he called on the audience to challenge him.
The event was held at Centre of Excellence, Macoya.
Singh, a finalist in Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa talent show, mastered his own selections and proved his talent by rendering songs recorded by Indian legends Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.
He performed songs from Bollywood movies Policegiri, Son Of Sardar, Milenge Milenge and Khiladi 786. His song “Hookar Bar” is still considered the youth anthem of 2013 in India.
And when the audience showed their appreciation by dancing to his upbeat songs, Singh joined in.
They asked for “Khaika Pan Banarswala” from the movie Don and he delivered, then Mohammed Rafi’s “Suhani Raat” and even songs from the Bollywood 1964 blockbuster movie Dosti.
He was joined on stage by local entertainer Raymond Ramnarine, the star attraction. Ramnarine said he enjoyed having Singh as a guest at his concert.
Singh told the Express the response he received from the Trinidad and Tobago audience was unbelievable.
“This is my first time in this country and it is a great experience. I would surely come again. I love performing for these beautiful people,” he said.
The show began with performances by Rennie Ramnarine, Avinash Maharaj, and members of G3–the sons and daughters of members of the Ramnarine clan.
But, as in previous years, it was Raymond Ramnarine who claimed the hearts of the thousands of patrons.
Ramnarine mounted the stage at around 10.10 p.m. and immediately began singing songs by the late Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.
His 30-minute session ended when Ramnarine hand delivered single red roses to females attending the event. He walked into the audience and handed the roses to his screaming fans.
Ramnarine was joined on stage by his singing sons, Varun and Vinesh.
Varun Ramnarine performed his father’s favourite song, “Yeh Lal Raan”. But it was little Vinesh Ramnarine who had the crowd screaming and dancing.
The youngster performed a duet with his father on bullying in schools. The song was written by them. He then removed his sunglasses and jacket and belted out a chutney song, urging his fans to get off their chairs and dance with him.
Ramnarine’s twin nephews, nine-year-old Arvind and Amish, and his niece Samara also performed at the event.
Ramnarine remembered the late chutney singer Rajin Dhanraj, who died of a mysterious illness last year. He said Dhanraj attended his concert every year and was missed.
Dil-e-Nadan honoured its former member, Ras Nancoo Singh, at the concert. Singh was a member of the band in the 1980s and was recognised for his role in shaping the future of the popular band.
Singh’s son, singer Andy Singh, accepted the award on behalf of his father. He also joined Ramnarine in a song on stage.
And although the event was scheduled to end at 1.30 a.m., Ramnarine still had the audience dancing when he began his chutney selections.
He was joined on stage by chutney singer Rasika Dindial as they performed “Bole Bole”.
Ramnarine also sang his 2013 song “I Aint Marriding No More”, which won him the Chutney Soca Monarch title.