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Indian Princess real name Princess Abolaji Adetoun Adeyanju
Athletic-looking Princess Abolaji Adetoun Adeyanju is a wonder to behold on stage when re-enacting the magical Indian dance style on stage. Through this, the Accountancy graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) has successfully stolen the heart of Fuji Lord, Alhaji Pasuma (a.k.a Oganla Fuji). For his sake, the pretty entertainer from Oro town in Ijomu Oro Local Government Area of Kwara State confessed that she is now in love with Fuji music. Pasuma, too, has since reciprocated by using her for most of his shows. In this indepth interview with our Contributing Editor IFECHI OKOH, she made revelations you have not read elsewhere about her career and husband. Enjoy it!
How did this Indian stage dance concept start?
The Indian dance concept came up as an inspiration and the need for me to standout in the business when I took a reflective look at the dancing business in Nigeria. As a very creative and enterprising person into show business, I have no choice than to pursue the concept and make it a reality against all challenges and today I thank God that I have achieved its main purpose. I have now realized that everyone in this industry is appreciating what I am doing. It may interest everybody to know and note that my stage act has pulled me very close to Fuji frontliner, Alhaji Jibola Pasuma (a.k.a Oganla Fuji) who invites me to most of his shows and I have been thanking God for that.
What has been your parents reaction to your choice of show business as a spinster?
At the beginning, my family never objected to my choice because they are enlightened and more over as somebody from a royal home of Ijomu Oro in kwara State. But when I persisted in my talent and they knew from my childhood that I am gifted in anything concerning entertainment like decoration, cake making, fashion designing and so on, which unfortunately did not grab my attention like what I am doing today, they were encouraged to give me all the support I needed.
What was the challenge like at the beginning?
Well, I only had a challenge at the beginning of my career as Indian Princess and that is my transformation from a Nigerian to an Indian on stage. Honestly, I must confess that it was not easy transforming from being a Nigerian to an Indian Princess on stage. It was quite tasking, but I gave it all I had. Although, the process took a long time before I changed into my Indian attire so as to convince guests that they were really watching an India Lady on stage life. I remembered I had a break in 2016, after I finished my annual children show in Alimosho Local Government outing. It was after then, I started going to 5 or more shows a day, including night clubs.
How was business within the first six months?
My time out in my first 6 months was amazing as I was signed to Relish Garden Agbado Ijaiye for some months where I was placed on monthly salary. From there, the name Indians Princess ballooned and spread out very well, making it my trade mark in the entertainment industry. Before, I was sighted at the DEMS Park, Akowonjo. Then, I was invited to CAVE club, Ikeja, where I first met with my target audience who are the real Indian Princess fans. It was they that gave me the corporate encouragement which is part of what I am enjoying today by the grace of God. Today, the Indians who came around have been patronizing me and treating me as one of them because of my perfect re-enactment of their dance culture.
How have you been able to handle the serious issue and challenges with promotional outfits?
Well, I thank God that my husband is a Journalist who understands the place and magic of promotions in my kind of business. In fairness to him, he has actually gone out of his way to ensure the best for me in corporate packaging.
Can we know how you met him?
My hubby met me when I was still in secondary. He was my mentor then, he was at that time the Managing Editor ofSafety Recordnewspaper. He nurtured me and took up my responsibilities, standing as my backbone. He went ahead to sponsor me to the higher institution and has since been helping my career to this level as my Manager and husband. When my promotion was dragging, he got a job for me and managed me too, till when the right time came, and we took our relationship to another level by getting married. From the beginning of my meeting him, I have regarded him as my hero not as a lover boy, because he never mixed business with pleasure. You can see why he means a lot to me.
You suddenly disappeared from defunct Cave Nite Club. What really happened?
I was on stage in big shows till I was six months pregnant. But I have to stop because the period was no longer safe to continue my shows and training schools for end of year parties for one and half months because it was delicate for my condition then. However, I used the remaining one and half months to rest before my final delivery period and after two months of my baby’s arrival, I resumed shows.
May we know if the child birth affected your physical stamina?
Nothing has tampered with my stamina and smartness on stage after birth, as a result, I am now called the sensational stage goddess who is now the toast of most social gatherings in Lagos. My display on stage is an inbuilt ability, so my child birth can't have any effect on me, Instead, the stage madness increased, in fact, my entertainment godfather, Alhaji Alabi Pasuma Oganla Fuji was amazed after watching my outing with him, asking if Indian Princess is still crazy on stage after child birth. He continued: “Indeed you are a gift to the entertainment industry in Nigeria.” He is not alone in his assessment; some fans have told me that “you are an institution in this business. People should come and start enrolling for this India dance of a thing.”
How has it been combining this business successfully with your home affairs?
There is no problem about that because my hubby and I are into it and already, I have combining my home affairs with show business smoothly and it does not have any effect because my hubby is my Manager. So we leave and come back together with our miracle baby. Our level of understanding has made us to understand life better. My patrons have been wonderful, alongside Oganla Fuji, Alhaji Alabi Pasuma, who pushed me this far. I most also acknowledge the interest of Chief Hakeem Bamgbade of H.O.B housing Estate, Alhaji Opebiyi, the Oganla of Isolo kingdom.