Red Baraat entertains AUS campus community

Red Baraat, a pioneering eight-piece band from Brooklyn, New York, entertained a large audience comprising the American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus community at a special concert held at the university's Main Auditorium yesterday, February 20.

The band, which merges hard-driving North Indian Bhangra with elements of go-go, rock and jazz, entertained the crowd with sounds rich in world music rhythms. The brainchild of dhol player Sunny Jain, Red Baraat has drawn global praise for its singular sound fueled by three master rhythm makes, the muscle of horns, a raucous guitar and a booming sousaphone.

Described by National Public Radio (NPR) in the USA as "the best party band in years," Red Baraat has toured all over the world, playing venues and festivals such as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Peter Gabriel's WOMAD Festivals in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, as well as the Luxembourg Philharmonic and New York City's famed Bowery Ballroom. The band has also performed at the request of the White House, TED and Olympic Games.

Red Baraat's second studio album in 2013, entitled Shruggy Ji, debuted at Number One on the Billboard World Music charts. Its third album, Bhangra Pirates, will be released soon.

The concert was organized by the AUS Cultural Events Committee in collaboration with the American Cultural Club, the Indian Cultural Club and the US Consulate General Dubai.