Van containing band's 'priceless' equipment stolen

A family band has been left devastated after their van containing "priceless" equipment was stolen.

Masti Band's vehicle was taken from Leicester city centre at about 04:00 BST on 24 June.

Amplifiers, speakers and specialised drums were among the stolen items, vocalist and keyboard player Aamir Rana said.

Aamir, from West Bridgford, said a "sentimental" dhol drum and a "prototype" dholki drum with several modifications designed by his uncle had also been in the van.

His uncle, Surinder Sandhu, 62, from Leicester, is the band's percussionist and Aamir's dad, Amjad Rana, 66, from Nottingham, is also a vocalist in the band which turns "pop songs into Bhangra".

A dhol drum with his uncle's name written on the side that he had been playing for more than 40 years was also taken.

"The sentimental stuff is priceless really," Aamir, 36, said.

"We have got a lot of gigs now which we need to work out some alternative plans for.

"We have got to change our types of performances... and try and source some more gear which is obviously going to be a huge expense.

"It's just another drum for anybody else but for [his uncle] it is everything. He has been playing it since he was a teenager and professionally for longer than I have been alive. It is just devastating."

Aamir said they started the band "purely for fun" just over three years ago after his uncle and dad had previously been in a band together.

He said: "My dad left the band as he was about to have a baby, so, I came along and he had a new set of priorities in life.

"I spent my whole life every day listening to his music. I said, 'One day dad I will bring you back to the stage', and long story short, we did.

"People fell in love with the fact that you have got a family on stage."

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said it had received a report about the theft of the van, a white Mercedes Vito, and at this stage there had not been any arrests.

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