GECs
MTV celebrates launch of MTV Base in South Africa
MUMBAI: MTV celebrated the launch of its 100th channel worldwide and also MTV’s first ever African music channel – MTV Base – in South Africa yesterday.
Against the dramatic Johannesburg night skyline, the music of Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ludacris, Lebo Mathosa, Mandoza, Seun Kuti and Fela’s Egypt 80 Band, and Skwatta Kamp held the crowd of music fans spellbound.
“MTV Base as the company’s 100th channel is the most anticipated launch in our history – it’s our first dedicated African service and takes MTV’s global footprint to every region of the world,” said MTV Networks International president Bill Roedy.
“MTV Base celebrates the diversity of vibrant music culture across Africa, while offering rich, creative inspiration for MTV’s global network,” he further added.
Performed on a custom-built set at the Ster Kinekor Top Star Drive In, a spectacular site overlooking the city of Johannesburg, the MTV base 100th live concert was devised as a tribute to the international and African artists loved by the young, African audience, mixing rap with the kwaito rhythyms of Mathosa and Mandoza and Kuti’s pounding Afrobeat.
Kicking off the night was Seun Anikyulapo Kuti, emerging from the shadows of his legendary late father, Fela Kuti, to give a stunning performance featuring powerful vocals, funky saxophone solos and frenetic dance. Mind-blowing sets from South African sensations Lebo Mathosa and Mandoza followed, with uplifting kwaito beats and stirring melodies.
Ludacris wowed the crowed with a pounding performance characterised by his trademark energy and raw lyrics, with South African hip hop stars Skwatta Kamp joining him on stage for an electrifying collaboration.
Commenting on the launch of MTV’s first African music channel, the Atlanta-born hip hop artist summed up the launch of Africa’s first MTV channel as ‘a historic moment’.
Will Smith made a dramatic entrance on a throne, flanked by a throng of sizzling dancers. Backed by DJ Jazzy Jeff, his electrifying performance featured pyrotechnics, drummers and a state of the art light show. His set, which featured tracks from his new album Lost and Found as well as hits from his long recording career, commenced with a triumphant entry to The Champ Is Here, followed by popular tracks, Men In Black, Jiggy With It and Summertime.
Smith’s performance was punctuated with a specially recorded message from former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, taped at a meeting between Smith and Mandela on 19 April 2005.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
