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Curry-oke with the spice boys

Kate Stirrup
5/ 2/2004

BRITAIN'S first ever Curry-oke restaurant has sprung up in Levenshulme.

Diners at the new Indus 5 restaurant on Stockport Road will be able to sing their favourite numbers to a recorded backing whilst munching on their poppadums.

Curry-oke singers will be projected onto video screens and will be able to re-enact their favourite scenes from the Bollywood Films.

Owner Shaz Irshad, 44, who moved to Manchester from Pakistan when he was three said: "I grew up with the Bollywood songs and films and thought lots of people like to sing, lots of people like to go out for meals so why not combine the two."

"Going out for a meal is a form of entertainment for people, so why not make it make it even more of an experience. I'm also going to be getting in live bands and singers - so we can see how it should be done."

"It is a lot of fun. And I'll have a go on the microphone too. I suppose I've got to lead the way," Shaz added.

Indus 5 is named after the five rivers of the punjab and the lost civilisation of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley. Remains of the civilization there was discovered in the early 1920's and since then archaeologists have been raising funds to help preserve the site.

Mr Shaz was born in the region and says he plans to help raise money from his restaurant for the project.

He added: "It is just a lot of fun eating here and I hope others will agree. I'm going to hold singing competitions which should spice things up even more."

The restaurant is supported by the Chamber Business Enterprise and Jigar Vyas, ethnic business adviser said: "I'm sure Indus 5 will be a big hit."