File photo of musician DJ Ravi Drums, aka Ravi Jakhotia, speaking to the media before the IIFA Stomp event, the opening act for the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Fla., April 23, 2014. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)


Popular Indian American DJ and drummer Ravi Jakhotia opened the inaugural concert for President-elect Donald Trump with a scintillating performance in front of several thousands of people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, writes Yoshita Singh. – #Siliconeer @Siliconeer #DonaldTrump #DJRaviDrums #RaviJakhotia #PresidentTrumpInauguration


Known by his stage name DJ Ravidrums, he was the first performer at Trump’s inaugural concert. The Indian American DJ and drummer won the 2010 People’s Choice Award for World’s Best Innovative DJ/Drummer.

Jakhotia, a resident of California, has performed at the pre-game show of Super Bowl in 2008, where he played with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

He has also performed at the Academy Awards in 2009, helping perform two original songs from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”

In a interview to a TV channel, Jakhotia said that the reason he accepted the invitation to perform at the concert is because he saw it as an opportunity to bring diversity to the ceremony.

“My father came to America with $8, a one way ticket, for the pursuit of the American dream,” he said in an earlier online interview.

He said his father taught his family to work hard and “appreciate what it is to be American.”

The concert featured performances by artist Sam Moore and U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Bollywood actress Manasvi Mamgai too led a dozen Indian dancers attired in colorful dresses to enthrall people gathered at the historic National Mall.

Manasvi and her troupe danced to the tune of some of the popular Bollywood numbers including the Oscar-winning “Jai Ho” by A.R. Rahman.

The group dance included several other popular Indian songs including “Jumme ki Raat Hai.”