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In the lead up to the religious Sikh festival of Vaisakhi on 13 April, legendary and award-winning Punjabi music icon and actor Gurdas Maan will be joining presenter Neelu Kalsi live in the studio on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Asian Network's Punjabi Show on Friday (10 April) from 8.00 to 10.00pm.

Gurdas will be speaking to the Asian Network about his music and life as well as what Vaisakhi means to him. Callers will also have the opportunity to put their questions live to Gurdas and speak to the legend himself.

With international hits like Dil Da Mamala and Apna Punjab Hove, and numerous successful albums to date, there is no question that Gurdas Maan is one of the most-respected and talented Punjabi music icons of all time. Having toured the globe and entertained audiences with his lively performances, Gurdas has taken Bhangra music from a regional level to an international stage with his own inimitable style.

Other Vaisakhi highlights on the Asian Network include:

Gagan Grewal – Monday 13 April, 6.00-8.00pm: an extended Bank Holiday show where Gagan plays your favourite Punjabi music requests plus the best bits of Friday's Gurdas Maan interview

Devotional Sounds – Tuesday 14 April, 5.00-6.00am: a live Vaisakhi special presented by Ravinder Singh Kundra who tells the spiritual story of Vaisakhi and celebrates with a variety of devotional sounds.

Gagan Grewal – Vaisakhi Party – Tuesday 14 April, 5.00-8.00pm: Bhangra legend Channi Singh alongside daughter Mona Singh will be live in the studio, celebrating the day with a feast of musical Bhangra sounds, chat and special features, including Asian Network DJ Noreen's audio diary where she finds out how Vaisakhi is marked and joins in on some of the special rituals observed. Listeners up and down the UK reflect on their own celebrations as well as shout-outs, listener dedications and much more to celebrate the magic of Vaisakhi.

Notes to Editors

Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on 13 or 14 April. It also commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Asian Network is a national digital radio station that is available via DAB digital radio, digital TV (Sky 0119, Virgin 912, Freeview 709 and Freesat 709) and online at bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork.

All programmes will be available to listen again to online for seven days after broadcast.

ASR