WHEN EVERYBODY WENT 'PATA PATA'

WHEN EVERYBODY WENT 'Pata Pata'

Dubai - September 1967. A very popular song by South African singer Miriam Makeba. The song - a signature song for her - became an instant hit all over the world, and almost everybody in Dubai too, was going 'Pata Pata'. Dubai did not have an English language radio station then. However there was a British Royal Air Force Base Radio Station that transmitted on Medium Wave from Sharjah until 1971. The song, a favourite among the expatriate community was covered by most bands in Dubai nightclubs and hotels. The only department store was 'Jashanmal' where one could buy records - LP's and 45's and 8-track cartridges. Those were the days. Dubai, a British protectorate, was one of the sheikhdoms that formed Trucial States of Oman until 1971, when it was independent and the seven sheikhdoms came to be known as the United Arab Emirates, one of the fastest growing and modernized nations in the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrbw1A0pLw

LIFE IN THE EMIRATES - HALA MARHABA

'LIFE IN THE EMIRATES'

A popular song in the expatriate community, 'Life in the Emirates', is a warm tribute to life in the United Arab Emirates. The song was written and recorded in 1979 by two Irish men Patrick Terence Brady and Michael Kiely. It proved to be an instant hit. It was provided airplay by Capitol Radio in Abu Dhabi and by FM 92 Radio in Dubai.

It has been sung in numerous hotels and other events throughout the U.A.E. It is the most famous song in English about the UAE, and it still strikes a sentimental chord even after the first batch of adventurers have left the country on completion  of their tenure.

I still have fond and cherished memories of this song along with the wonderful and memorable years that I spent in this great country. The song is still played by music groups who originally made their debut in Dubai at the time, and who perhaps share similar sentiments in their hearts.

"LIFE IN THE EMIRATES" is a sincere yet light-hearted song of praise to the wonderful country - the United Arab Emirates. The words speak for themselves.

Please click on the link below to watch the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYGl3coO6g

BACK IN DUBAI

BACK IN DUBAI

Sal Davies was a entertainer from Mombasa who often visited Dubai in the 1980's. His song 'Back in Dubai' was quite popular then with the expatriate community. Often broadcast on TV and radio, Sal Davies' another popular song was 'Malaika'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vQgB6wLksY

THE FUJEIRAH TREE - A Pyrographic Drawing

'The Fujeirah Tree'

Wood-burning

by Tony Fernandes

In fact I am new to this art. This is my first 'Woodburning' drawing done with a 'pyrographic' pen - a very kind and thoughtful gift from my three children on 'Father's Day', 21st June, 2009. Having received it in the mail, I immediately put it to the test. After a few initial strokes I got to 'wood-burn' some scenes on a scrap piece of wood. And then by the third day I had already successfully 'pyrographed' the above drawing.

I have always been fascinated by silhouettes of trees. And photographing the forlorn acacia trees of Fujeirah (U.A.E.) were no exception, especially against a backdrop of the spectacular Hajjar mountains. This first project was inspired by the encouragement from my youngest daughter, after browsing through the photographs of these trees that I had taken a long time ago. My children were very young then. In those wonderful days we drove to picturesque Fujeirah (East coast of the U.A.E.) on enjoyable picnics more than 140 kilometres from Sharjah.

The size of the end-grain wood block (bass wood) is 13 x 9 inches approx. and the drawing is burnt into the wood using a single standard supplied pen. Various shaped tips and pens are available for achieving different textures, contours and designs.

Lightning in Dubai, UAE, 1997

This is not trick photography!
 It is a time lapse exposure - 18 lightning bolts on a single frame.
 Kodak film. Camera: Nikon 401X
Lens: Vivitar 2.8/21mm - October 1997.

First published on the First Page of Gulf News.