Noted Indian-American actor Kal Penn, known for his portrayal of 'Gogol', the protagonist in the screen adaptation of the Namesake, will perform at the historic inaugural celebration of Barack Obama in Washington.
Kalpesh Suresh Modi, 31, known more by his stage name Kal Penn, who campaigned extensively for Obama during the election campaign last year, would be sharing the stage with some of the most eminent American performers during the function, which will formally launch Obama's inaugural celebrations at the Lincoln memorial on Sunday.
Both President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden, will appear at the function christened "We are one: The Obama inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial."
Kal Penn would be reading historical passages at the ceremony along with other eminent individuals -- Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah, Denzel Washington, Jack Black, Steve Carell, Rosario Dawson, Tom Hanks, Laura Linney, Ashley Judd Forest Whitaker and Tiger Woods.
Penn acted alongside Indian actors Irrfan Khan and Tabu in the 2006 film Namesake -- director Mira Nair's celluloid adaptation of author Jhumpa Lahiri's novel by the same name.
Among the musical performers scheduled for the event are Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi.