Bal Thackeray remembers Michael Jackson 
Indian fans on Friday remembered fondly Michael Jackson after his death was announced in the United States, harking back to his landmark concert in Mumbai and his philosophy on life.The self-styled "King of Pop" played a sell-out gig in India's entertainment capital in 1996, wowing fans with a breathtaking two-hour set and also inviting children from local orphanages to his luxury hotel for a poolside party.
And of Many Michael Jackson fans in India is Hindutva and nationalistic fervor ridden Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray,who may hate western culture but he sure loved MJ’s dancing
Michael Jackson during his visit to Mumbai,reportedly autographed the toilet he used on the visit to local Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who invited him to the city. Thackeray is said to still proudly point out the signed loo.The Thackerays presented him with a silver tabla and tanpura
In a statement, Thackeray, now 83, recalled Jackson's dancing.He said
Originally Posted by Bal Thackeray
"Michael Jackson is a great artist, and we must accept him as an artist. His movements are terrific. Not many people can dance that way. You will end up breaking your bones…And, well what is culture? He represents certain values in America, which India should not have any qualms in accepting. We would like to accept that part of America that is represented by Jackson"
Jackson 'readily agreed' to perform in India: Raj Thackeray 
Meanwhile,Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also remembered Michael Jackson.The Michael Jackson Mumbai Tour of 1996 was organised by Shiv Udyog Sena, an outfit floated by then Shiv Sena leader Raj Thackeray with the objective of providing jobs to 27 lakh youth in Maharashtra.Raj Thackeray recounts the only time Michael Jackson performed in India - in Mumbai, in 1996 - at his invitation.
"All we had to do was invite him, and he readily agreed. There were no special demands, no starry airs. He was anyway keen to visit India, and got the chance with our invite; it was his first and last show in India," Thackeray says.
The MNS chief remembers Jackson as a performer with "tremendous energy" and a huge fan following: "When anyone dies, it's a cliche to say that he leaves a vacuum behind, but in this case, there is a real vacuum. We will never see another performer like him."
Bal Thackeray remembers Michael Jackson 
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