Asian urban music culture until now stayed unnoticed in the British entertainment industry. The few, like "Talvin Singh", "Corner Shop" or "Asian Dub Foundation", who entered in the limelight, were only treated like an exotic fringe group. In the UK no Asian pop stars were to represent the spirit of the times. Thus it is understandable that "Mundian To Bach Ke" of Panjabi MC has only been known as quiet tip in the global underground network of the Desi-communities for four years and only got known in co-operation with the German musician "Superstar-Label". A greater representation in the media which guaranteed to the banghra-sound commercial success in the charts. With the knight-rider-tune and the exciting hip-hop-rhythm "Mundian to Bach Ke" is pulsating in the spirit of the times and embodies through its dhol- and tumbi-elements the melting pot of the west-indo youth culture.

At last the dj-live-performance of Panjabi MC, during his Germany-tour, in the disco "Soundgarden" in Duisburg on Saturday, the 25th January this year convinced me of the fact that probably in the long term not only the so-called urban "Desi-youth" is going to be touched by the Banghra-club-sound. "Mundian To Bach Ke", which because of its Middle Eastern flair virtually is treated like a hymn within the Turkish community in Germany, introduces the "birth" of a new music style that until now has only existed in the Asian underground of Great Britain and finally was established commercially in Germany.

I find myself in the maze of a big shed complex, lost in a musical world of divers tone colours. Lots of party guests, most of them between 18 and 20, devote themselves with an expectant look to the night. Looks that are fixed on me and my Indian company. We are witty, it is our Panjabi MC, the musical breath of our great cultural variety. Cameramen of the ZDF (public German television station) and VIVA (German music television station) cross my way. Moments that inspire my anticipation to see the Indian high spot. Posters are hung on the walls on which I see the following caption: "Panjabi MC live - top 5 of the German charts - Knight Rider Meets India Mundian To Bach Ke!". A caption that gives a unique meaning to the image of the legendary MC from northwest India. Desi 4 live! At the open gate to the main shed is a notice to announce the performance of Panjabi MC at one o'clock.

When the tumbi tunes of "Mundian To Bach Ke" mixed with the songs of the R&B-music can be heard as a countdown, all party people start yelling. In the meantime I am in the main area. At 1o'clock me and the few desis, who are present, are awaiting Panjabi MC, who is still supposed to be in the dressing room. Timir Baran Roy also known as T-Roy, the 'maharadja of tablas', who was often taken for Panjabi MC because of his kurtha and the om necklace on his breast, tells me that the camera team, which came to film the life performance , is particularly interested in shooting desis to show the Indian flair.

Then the time has come. Our hero is standing on the wheels of steel and plays his top ten hit. The crowd is clamouring. We express our pride with dancing and cheering. Those are moments of reality of a desi's dreams who was mainly confronted with bubonic plague and suppression of women when the teacher spoke about his home country in school. Panjabi MC plays commercial Rap- and R&B-songs like "Truth hurts", "Addictive" and "React" by Eric Sermon, which are supposed to give the youth an idea of the Indian cultural variety. Most of the young people in Central Europe live the previous US music culture. Now this music culture should experience new spheres during the one-hour mind expansion. Various bhangra vocals are masterly mixed with the instrumental music of "Mundian To Bach Ke" and the potential of Indian singing is staged. We can hear "Kudi Punjaban" and the hall is trembling. We are at a big Indian Party. Unfortunately only a few new songs are played. They are often drowned out by the voice of the rapper who vigorously whips up emotions. Thus the fantastic show including the Rap MC loses its fascination. I personally missed "Indian Break Part 2" by Panjabi MC, a song that has already been presented as a tip for the scene by DJ Groove, a presenter of the black music channel "Jam FM". On the whole I look back on the event with a great feeling of pride. I as a German desi can show this pride to the society.

I am not satisfied with the fact that the traditional bhangra scene and the electronic sound of Asian Underground meet with mutual intolerance instead of flowing together to enrich the south Asian urban music culture. However Panjabi MC laid the foundations to the desi scene. Now the doors are open for further desi vibes, which are continued in the current cds by DJ Sanj. 'Put your hands up India!'

> Official Panjabi MC website: www.panjabi-mc.com

> "Mundian To Bach Ke" on CD? Buy now.
> "Indian Breaks" on CD? Buy now.

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