KAMAL Chopra has made Penang and Malaysia proud when she emerged as the winner of the ‘Best International Artist’ Award at the UK Bhangra Awards 2019 in Birmingham, England, recently.
A lawyer by qualification, she has now taken up singing as her profession. She is married to Dr Sunil Chopra, a consultant radiologist and nuclear medicine physician.
“A total of 24 awards were presented during the awards’ ceremony. One of the awards was for the ‘Best International Artist’ which has nominees from six countries, namely the United States of America (USA), Canada, Sweden, India, Dubai and Malaysia.
“Malaysia, represented by Kamal Chopra, emerged the winner during the ceremony,” state Housing, Local Government, Urban and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo told a press conference today.
Also present were Penang Sikh Association chairman Datuk Dr Kuldip Sohan and its secretary Datuk Maljit Singh.
Jagdeep also said the past winners for the ‘Best International Artist’ award came from India (2014 – 2016), Denmark (2017) and USA (2018).
“The UK Bhangra Award is the largest and the most prestigious Bhangra event in the UK held
annually since 2014.
“It aims to promote Punjabi Bhangra and Punjabi culture, using that as a medium to promote unity among all communities across the world.
“As a representative of Penang, Malaysia, Kamal Chopra was also given the honour of performing live at the Regency Banqueting Suite in Birmingham,” Jagdeep added.
The selection process involved six nominees from around the world who were selected by a panel of judges based on their work done, performances and contributions to the Punjabi culture throughout the course of a one-year period.
From the six nominees, the winner of this award was thereafter determined by public votes until Nov 27 through email and sms.
Kamal Chopra said she was so delighted to have won the ‘Best International Artist’ award and dedicated her victory to everyone who has in one way or another gave their encouragement.
“I am happy to make Malaysia, particularly Penang, proud of this achievement,” she said.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan