For years he has been a part of the Sri Lankan event industry. In 2016 ,Shakeer Mohamed decided to take on more challenging events by collaborating with many Indian event management companies.
Handling the logistics for high profile events, in some of the top concert arenas, convention centres and destinations isn’t an easy task. Now he has become a seasoned event planner, working for SRSA events and taking up the pre and post-event pressures.
Shakeer talks to Youth Observer about events, taking it up as a career, working with high profile celebrities and the upcoming A.R. Rahman concert in Dubai.
Q : How long have you been doing events and Media work?
It was indeed a very long term plan I had but I only got the right breakthrough in mid 2016. I worked as a freelancer in Sri Lanka for Events with some amazing people who guided and gave me that opportunity.
Q : What made you get into events?
I would say it was because of the passion I had for music which inspired me to work for events. The glamour and extraordinary productions I saw on international live events just made me dream so much, to be a part of such events one day.
Q ; Event management consumes a lot of time, especially doing events abroad, how do you manage to do them, back to back?
Usually, events that I have worked for are very well scheduled and executed way ahead of the show date. It takes months of hard work and organising to give the best end product. The events I have done in Lanka took much less working hours, but while working with BToS Productions and Talent Management I have worked seven days a week nonstop for every show.
Q : What’s important in doing a successful event?
In a live concert, the main artist is the main attraction, so a good performance, the right amount of entertainment is important. As an event planner, working with a team of planners it is your responsibility to see the audience and artists connect at all times.
A strong, dynamic, innovative and like-minded team is an asset when organising a concert, particularly destination concerts. I always say that hiring the right people for a successful event is important. What matters is that the crowds should feel they spent their money well, and I in return must feel it was worth spending on this concert.
Seeing large crowds leave with happy faces and positive reviews are all that matters, months of struggles and hard work has paid off.
Q : Tell us about the upcoming concert with A. R Rahman?
I am glad I had the opportunity to work for two shows already this year in Qatar and Chennai. The next event is all set to happen in Dubai on November 15. Looking forward to more shows in the coming year.
Q : How does it feel organising an event this calibre?
It’s an experience of a lifetime. Every show that I have worked for BToS Productions has something new and unique in each event. From the smallest person behind the event to A.R Rahman himself they all put in the maximum energy and effort. Setting up the massive stage which is sometimes 800 metres long, the giant LED walls and months of hard work are put in for those productions, the best lighting, sounds and the engineers are behind it. The full day rehearsals and sound checks, the talented 100 plus crew members in each show and the beautiful audience who turn up in numbers and which sometimes amount to 35,000 plus, are awesome. Everything is unique in its way. I am honoured to be a part of BToS and ARR Live. Every day at work is new and exciting and I enjoy every bit of it.
Q : Your advice to those who want to join event planning?
You should have the passion for it, sometimes you won’t get the opportunities but hard work will take you where you want to be in your career. Never stop trying, always learn from others involved in organising an event.
It all looks glamorous, from the outside but a lot of work goes into organising the event. Work hard and never complain even if it has given you the worst stress. Remember you chose this industry for a reason and just focus on what you want. It requires a lot of dedication and hard work, there is something new every day and don’t stop learning.
There is a lot of talent in Lanka, and we have the capacity to do good events with international and local artistes. I am confident that in the coming years we can do events in Lanka and make it a popular concert destination provided we have the right mindset and attitude.