MUMBAI: Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler will be performing in Mumbai and Bangalore on 5 March and 7 March respectively. Knopfler will be performing some of the greatest hits of Dire Straits and will also strum his trademark guitars.

While Nokia is the presenting sponsor of the concert, the associate sponsors are VH1, Hutch, Pepsi and McDowell’s No 1 Soda.

Knopfler will perform at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai and at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore. Knopfler's India Tour is being produced by DNA Networks and tickets are priced at Rs 2500 and Rs 1000.

The concert will include all-time hits as Calling Elvis, Walk of Life, What It Is, Romeo & Juliet, Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing, So Far Away, Brothers in Arms, Pyroman, Done with Bonaparte, Junkie Doll, Prairie Wedding, Speedway at Nazareth and Telegraph Road.

"To educate your ears, you should have enough reverence for music. You have to know old stuff - get right back into it, know it, feel it," says Knopfler.

Always playing it cool on stage, Knopfler gives his best to everything he does and lets his fingers express his passion for music. Sachin Tendulkar, a die-hard fan, is expected to attend the concert as a special invitee.

DNA Networks MD T Venkat Vardhan says, "Indian audiences are truly responsive. Our road map includes bringing the best classic as well as contemporary performers to India."

Knopfler was a journalist in his early days and covered the music beat until the urgings of his own guitar lead him to a career in music.  Known as one of the most respected and skillful guitarists in the music scene, Knopfler together with brother David, John Ilsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), founded the band Dire Straits in August 1977. The band got its name due to its habitual financial state!

Ever since their first album, also called Dire Straits, hit the stores in 1978, the band churned out a succession of albums. The Dire Straits magic took hold of music fans across the world in 1985 with Brothers in Arms, one of the biggest selling albums of all time. The album became a must-have for those wanting to exploit new CD and video technology. Sultans of Swing not only made a name for the band but also marked a turning point in rock history in 1998.

Knopfler has collaborated with such fellow greats as Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, Buddy Guy, Tina Turner, Phil Lynott, Willy DeVille, Eric Clapton, Waylon Jennings, Chet Atkins, Phil Everly, Vince Gill, Paul Franklin, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Paul Brady, Jeff Healey, Steely Dan, Sting, James Taylor and David Rawlings.