Leicester East MP Keith Vaz announced the establishment of an Annual Performing Arts Prize in honour of the late Chandubhai Mattani who died in Leicester last week.
Mr VAZ made the announcement at the Prarthna Sabha for Chandhubai which was held at the Mayer Community Centre, Leicester. Hundreds of people attended the event and other tributes were given by Gautam Bodiwala and Mr Mattani's grandson Rohan. Devotional prayers were led by Alap Ashit Desai a close family friend who had flown in from India for the occasion.
Keith Vaz described Mr Mattani as " an icon of Leicester and global music who had brought serenity and style to the Belgrave Road". He went on " Chandu Mattani was the fifth person I met when I arrived in Leicester 33 years ago from London. I can remember his smile, his grace and his kindness and generosity. In an age of " fake news " Chandu Mattani stood out as a person of truth and love. He never uttered an unkind word about anyone. He lived his music, his family and his community. "
Mr Vaz said that Chandubhai's musical recitals in Leicester through Shruti Arts inspired him to establish musical recitals at the House of Commons where legends such as Ravi Shankar, Amjad Ali Khan and Zakhir Hussein performed. He recalled the day that Chandubhai and his great friend Sunil Gavaskar came to Parliament and played cricket on the roof of the House of Commons. " He lived a long life, full of energy and dynamism but it was also too short. We have lost a giant whose humility and passion for music will be missed by us every single day. We will never see his like again"
The Mattani Award for Performing Arts announced by Mr Vaz will be an Annual event which will be awarded at the end of an annual concert in honour of Chandu Mattani which will take place in Leicester. Young people under the age of 20 will enter the competition and three finalists will perform at the concert. The winner will receive the Award. Further details will be announced after consultation with the Mattani family and Leicester City Council. The first Award is expected to be made on what would have been Chandhubai's next birthday.
