MUSCAT: To see "am a Wilbur Sargunaraj fan" status among many Indian Facebook users is now common. But to know that he has staged a special performance for an Omani family takes his popularity to another level.
"Musician, performer, educator and a humanitarian" Wilbur Sargunaraj now has a huge fan base all over the world and is better known as "India's first YouTube star".
For those who don't know who he is, you need to just log on to YouTube and search for the 33-year-old "Canada and India" based Tamilian.
Wilbur Sargunaraj's satirical videos especially 'Love Marriage', has already been viewed by over half a million enthusiasts and his 'supercall solution videos' like how to use the elevator, how to use the eastern latrine, how to order fast food among others are a rage.
"I use music, videos and brand to promote cultural intelligence and make people aware of issues related to social justice," says Wilbur.
It is just in February 2010 that he posted his first video and since then there has been no looking back for him.
Wilbur's mantra, in his own words, is quite simple: "Making the common, extraordinary".
"My works, whether it is music or videos, it is all about giving the common people a voice," he says.
For example for the video of the album 'Love Marriage' he uses common villagers. "I have not only made stars out of them but also helped them for instance to get electricity for their rural homes," he says.
Wilbur says he started the 'supercall solution videos' to educate people about other cultures and push people to be a first-class global citizen.
"There are still people in this world who will benefit out of a video like how to use a elevator. We all come from different cultures. What is common to this part of the world may not be to the other. In this context it is important to educate," he believes.
The purpose, he clarifies, is not to poke fun at any race or ethnicity.
The concept of cultural intelligence (CQ) is very close to Wilbur's heart.
"To me cultural intelligence equals humility. CQ is also about having a strong identity as well as the will to explore relationships and engage and learn from others," he says.
According to Wilbur the greatest compliment he has so far received is when David Livermore author of Leading with Cultural Intelligence called him a global ambassador of cultural intelligence.
"He said that I am a true rock star who uses the growing international platform to make the world a better place through my music and through a relentless commitment to cultural intelligence (CQ). He also added that while he researches and writes about CQ, I lived it out and taking it mainstream to my fans and audiences around the world," Wilbur explains.
Since having turned an Internet sensation Wilbur has been travelling around the world with his performances.
Besides India he has performed in Africa, Indonesia, Singapore Japan, China, Germany, Thailand and Canada to name a few.
An organiser who hosted his concert at Jakarta best describes Wilbur's work.
"There is something simple, charming and almost innocent about it. It stands out in this era of slick, overproduced music videos with pretty leads," he says.
Wilbur always uses his shows for good causes.
"I have done free concerts for children in orphanages and in schools in Rwanda and Kenya in Africa. In June I was in Singapore and Indonesia where I performed and gave proceeds of the concert to an orphanage. I cannot stress how important it is to use my platform to help others," says the man who considers the Almighty, Michael Jackson and the common man as his inspiration.
Wilbur's popularity is growing by the day. Even when he was in Oman more 100 people met him and got autographs soon after his Facebook and Twitter posting revealed that he was in Oman.
He plans to come back to Oman for a bigger concert. But as of now he is busy preparing for the launch of a fun album Simple Superstar.
Muscat Press and Publishing House SAOC 2009
Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company
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