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Colourful musical encourages us to be proud of who we are

 ‘Bhangra Nation explores how we see ourselves and how we view others’

Bhangra Nation is an uplifting, moving and funny new musical about friendship, family, rivalry and identity, brought to life with boundless energy and joy, incredible dance moves and a truly bhangin’ soundtrack. Originally called Bhangin’ It, this musical was premiered in San Diego in 2022.

As the Uni Bhangra dance team wait nervously backstage to find out if they’ve made it to Nationals, the real showdown has already begun as team mates Preeti and Mary clash over what Bhangra really means to them. Whilst Preeti, who is 100% South Asian, believes that the team needs to stick to tradition, Mary, who is bi-racial, is passionate about shaking things up to belong to today.

Stafford Arima (Director) and Rujuta Vaidya (Choreographer). Credit Craig Sugden

When a huge row changes the team forever, students Mary and Preeti start on journeys of discovery into what they stand for and who they want to be.

By focusing on the two students and their different ideals of dance, Bhangra Nation explores how we see ourselves and how we view others.

At the core of this approximately 150-minute musical is a story about how you fit in, according to its Director, Stafford Arima. “I think, no matter if you are British, South Asian, Canadian or whatever, we all struggle on so many levels on how to fit into the world these days,” he added. Asked what excites him about this musical, “that we’re pulling from the community of Birmingham but also introducing to the community of Birmingham new faces and new voices. We’re making it a big kind of soup of different ingredients from different places.”

A house-full audience reflecting multicultural Birmingham, attendees included director Stafford Arima, media representatives including Indy Deol, Satnam Rana, Amit Roy and Boy Chana, relatives of the cast and TV personality Dr Ranj. At the end, the audience took to their feet to applaud the fabulous cast. After the show, VIP guests were treated to drinks and food, the latter provided by Dishoom. Hats off to The REP’s Communications Team, including Aaliyah Collins, Samantha Lyster as well as Nada Zakula.

Local lad’s dream role

For 22-year-old Ajay Sahota, pictured, this is his first time on a professional stage. Ajay, from Great Barr in Birmingham, plays student Gobind. He had never dreamed he would be on stage at The REP, and is enjoying the experience. “I’ve only done amateur musicals at university and at school but I’ve always loved musical theatre and this show is a combination of dancing, singing and the cultural part of being a South Asian in the UK. It’s the perfect opportunity,”

Ajay Sahota

Parambeer Samrai is a bhangra consultant from Walsall. “This show is fostering an understanding of cultural appreciation whether you’re South Asian, black or white,” says Parambeer. “We’re creating a memorable performance for all ages and we want this show to be accessible to anybody and everybody. Bhangra is a super cool dance and music tradition that lots of people in Birmingham enjoy but it’s not just about dancing. It’s about bringing people together and having fun.”

Bhangra Nation runs at Birmingham REP until 16 March. Receive one free teen (aged 13-19) ticket when you book a full priced ticket for a Mon to Thu performance.

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India News London News Music

London-based Amol enthralls audience with his Marathi film background score

What is  India’s renowned vocalist  Rahul Deshpande’s debut-making Marathi film Amaltash’s London connection? Rahul Laud seeks the answer

The growing connection between Marathi films and London is demonstrated in the latest Marathi film Amaltash which hit the theatres on 8 March. Reviews for the film are rave. Actor Chinmayi Surve (wife of actor Sumeet Raghavan) has gone on record saying that this film is unique to Marathi films – “a must-watch and a must to be heard in big halls for its rich experience,” she said.  What makes the film  Amaltash so unique? The background score to the entire film plays a significant role and is a character of the film which is composed by London-based Amol Dhadphale with additional music by Johann Matthew and music director Bhushan Mate. The background score, in particular, transcends the cinematic experience as the discerning say it’s not run-of-the-mill, typecast, stereotyped sound usually seen in popular Marathi cinema. Amol was briefed by the producer and director of the film   Suhas Desale who had a clear vision that inspired Amol to watch Japanese anime.  The whole treatment is thus global giving it an international feel and beautifully synced with the images on the editing table. It was a challenging task for Amol to think creatively and compose orchestral music in a way that could resonate with Marathi culture, especially in a scenario where the film didn’t have the budget to use any live instruments. Amol composed and played the entire music out of his studio in London.

 Amol is a London-based film composer, pianist, harmonium player, and an experienced mastering engineer. He has been a practitioner of classical, jazz, and pop music and has performed in over 500 live concerts across the globe. At a recently held concert organised by the SAJDA Festival for Performing Arts, he accompanied on harmonium Koyel Bhattacharya – a disciple of the late Ustad Rashid Khan.  

By profession, Amol is recognized as a senior executive with a background in management consulting and has helped several Fortune 500 companies transform their business. Pune-born, he has lived across the globe in  Tokyo, Amsterdam, Dubai, California, and London.n This has helped Amol to be exposed to the finer nuances of international music and cultures. It’s his passion for music that attracted him to an opportunity to compose film for Amaltash he admits. Amol had met Desale during his visit to Rahul Deshpande’s home in Pune where Amol and Rahul were ‘jamming’ together for a Facebook livestream session. This introduction led to Amol and Suhas working together on the journey of Amaltash. 

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Thousands call for Gaza ceasefire in London march

Labeling protesters on pro-Palestinian marches in the UK as extremists is divisive, “outrageous” and dangerous, Dame Sara Khan has warned…reports Asian Lite News

Thousands of protesters are expected to gather again in central London to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the fifth major pro-Palestine demonstration in the capital so far this year.

Saturday’s protest comes a day after Dame Sara Khan, a UK government adviser on social cohesion, said attempts to portray protesters on pro-Palestinian marches as extremist were “outrageous” and dangerous.

Khan, who is carrying out a review of the resilience of the UK’s democracy for Michael Gove, said such claims risked further dividing the country.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said its latest march began at noon at Hyde Park Corner and finished at the US embassy in Nine Elms.

The Metropolitan police has provided a map that attenders must follow to avoid being in breach of section 12 of the Public Order Act 2023. A section 14 condition is also in place that requires anyone who was participating in the PSC demo to assemble on the south side of Park Lane.

The force said the protest must end with the crowd dispersing by 5pm and “anyone who fails to comply with these conditions will be dealt with by officers”.

The Met commander Karen Findlay, who will oversee policing across London on Saturday, said: “To minimise the impact of the protest we have consistently used our full range of legal powers over the last five months to manage these protests, and we will be doing so again this weekend.

“We are clearly operating in a context where we understand our Jewish and Muslim communities continue to be highly concerned about antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crime and their own sense of safety in London. We recognise the very real anxiety and fear of individuals who are worried about perceived or actual threats they are subject to.”

Met officers will again be supported by colleagues from forces across the UK. The force said the protests since October had required 35,464 officer shifts and more than 5,200 officer rest days to be cancelled in addition to costs of £32.3m.

There is also a Million Women Rise demonstration in support of International Women’s Weekend in the capital on Saturday, which includes a rally at Trafalgar Square.

The former home secretary Suella Braverman has been condemned for describing the pro-Palestine demonstrations as “hate marches” and the government’s commissioner for counter-extremism, Robin Simcox, wrote in the Daily Telegraph on Friday that London had been “permitted to be turned into a no-go zone for Jews every weekend”.

Speaking to the Guardian, before Simcox’s comments were published, Khan said: “I think it’s really important that we don’t conflate those protesters, somehow saying or portraying them as somehow as being all extremists.

“What I’ve been really uncomfortable with over the last couple of weeks is the kind of argument that they’re all Islamist extremists on these demonstrations. I think that’s actually outrageous.

“Some are not even pro-Palestinian people, just anti-war.”

The Israeli offensive was launched after the 7 October Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Israeli strikes have killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October, two-thirds of them women and children.

‘Calling pro-Palestine protesters extremists is outrageous’

Labeling protesters on pro-Palestinian marches in the UK extremists is divisive, “outrageous” and dangerous, a government adviser has warned.

Demonstrations against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the streets of London and other major cities in the UK since Oct. 7 last year.

They have drawn criticism from senior Conservative politicians, including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who called them “hate marches.”

However, Dame Sara Khan, who is conducting a review into British social coherence and the resilience of democracy, told The Guardian that politicians need to be wary of using divisive rhetoric.

“I think it’s really important that we don’t conflate those protesters, somehow saying or portraying them as somehow as being all extremists,” Khan said.

“What I’ve been really uncomfortable with over the last couple of weeks is the kind of argument that they’re all Islamist extremists on these demonstrations. I think that’s actually outrageous.

“Some are not even pro-Palestinian people, just anti-war. There are clearly Jewish people there, there’s a whole range of people there, and to try to frame these demonstrations as Islamist extremism is completely far-fetched and untrue.”

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed that pro-Palestine protests had “descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence.”

This week, the government’s commissioner for counter-extremism, Robin Simcox, wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “We will not have become an authoritarian state if London is no longer permitted to be turned into a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.”

However, the government’s independent terrorist legislation reviewer, Jonathan Hall KC, warned: “When you’re thinking about something as important as the right to protest, there doesn’t seem to be a solid enough basis for curtailing that because I think we can all think of causes very personal to us that we would want to protest an awful lot and that will make some people very, very unhappy indeed.”

The government is expected to announce a new definition of extremism next week, which will inform what organizations it is allowed to work with.

ALSO READ-EU Launches Gaza Aid Project

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Asia News London News Woman

Vatika Naturals Inspires Inclusivity in Workplace with the #RootForMe Campaign

South Asian Hair Care Brand Vatika Naturals Champions Diversity with #RootForMe Campaign Featuring All-Female Comedy Lineup

Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women’s Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.

#ROOTFORME is a digital campaign to mark IWD2024 addressing intersectionality at the workplace which affects women of colour, compounded by race, ethnicity, religion and several other issues which can pose as a major roadblock for career advancement for a lot of our target segment and make them susceptible to workplace harassment and stereotyping. 

From being a generic hair care brand for South Asian women, this year Vatika Naturals is embarking on a journey to become the preferred brand by multi-ethnic audiences across the UK and the USA.

Redefining women’s empowerment this International Women’s Day, Vatika leads the conversation with humour to address workplace stereotypes and discrimination, through partnerships with leading stand-up comediennes like Shazia Mirza and Sikisa.

In celebration of the campaign launch, Business Head Dabur International Europe UK, Zakir Mansoori stated – Vatika Naturals has been bringing bespoke hair care solutions to multi-ethnic audiences around the World for over 35 years and the brand has been garnering a lot of love from our loyal base of customers. Earlier this year we launched our Afro Naturals range, especially for women with textured hair.  And there is lots to look forward to from Vatika, as we embark on this journey to make the brand relevant to a wider audience, which would include new product launches and newer formulations for different hair types.

Roshni Singh, Group Marketing Manager UK EU & Americas stated, “Vatika Naturals is not just a hair care brand but a custodian of values which champion diversity, differences, and uniqueness especially amongst women. With the #ROOTFORME campaign, Vatika endeavours to further strengthen its stand towards being inclusive and diverse.” #RootForMe is a call to action for individuals to stand together and dismantle barriers preventing equality for women and specifically women of colour. Vatika is always challenging the status quo or stereotypes that hinder the growth of an individual.”

Agency Founder and Chairman for HereandNow365, Manish Tiwari further elucidated that “Vatika Naturals is a brand which identifies and celebrates differences, and to match the brand’s vision, our team has developed this concept which is not just clutter-breaking but light-hearted.  The aim of deploying humour is not to make light of the issues at hand, rather to offer hard-hitting provocative messaging through treatment and platforms which resonate with our younger audiences in today’s time. The two-week campaign will launch across Vatika’s social media channels on the 8th of March 2024 across the UK and the USA. To amplify the message, the brand will be seen at iconic landmarks like Times Square, New York City and the London Underground in March, to spark dialogue around workplace issues, stereotypes, and navigating these challenges.

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‘Shocking Increase’ in Extremist Activity: Sunak Raises Alarm

UK’s democracy is being deliberately undermined, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned in his address to the Nation from outside 10 Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak came out heavily against the rising cases of ‘extremism’ in the United Kingdom and warned that while people have the right to march and protest ‘peacefully’, they can’t call for violence and extremism.

The UK Prime Minister said that a “shocking increase” has been noticed in extremist disruption and criminality in the recent weeks and months, and what started as protests on streets, has descended into “intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence.”

“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with. Now our democracy itself is a target,” Sunak said in his address to the Nation from outside 10 Downing Street.

He acknowledged that immigrants from different spheres of the world have come and integrated in the country without giving up on their identities.

“You can be a practising Hindu and a proud Briton as I am. Or a devout Muslim and a patriotic citizen as so many are. Or a committed Jewish person and the heart of your local community…and all underpinned by the tolerance of our established, Christian church,” Sunak said.

“But I fear that our great achievement in building the world’s most successful multi-ethnic, multi faith democracy is being deliberately undermined,” he said.

Sunak said that since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, many groups are trying to take advantage of the war to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda. Due to this, on many occasions, the UK streets were “hijacked” by “hostile groups.”

“Islamist extremists and far rights groups are spreading a poison, that poison is extremism,” he stated.

He further said that while people have the right to march and protest demanding protection fo civilian life, they can’t call for “violent Jihad”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a statement from Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

“I respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests we have seen and that they are operationally independent. But we must draw a line. Yes, you can march and protest with passion…You can demand the protection of civilian life…but no, you cannot call for violent Jihad,” Sunak said.

He also cited the order by Home Secretary James Cleverly that the foreign nationals who are in UK on visas, if “spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people”, their right to stay in the country will be revoked.

“I want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest: Don’t let the extremists hijack your marches. You have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens,” Sunak further said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UK govt to step up lawmakers’ security  

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Sajid slams Sunak

Over the weekend, senior party figures failed to fully condemn Anderson despite his suspension, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps…reports Asian Lite News

London’s mayor has accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of “tacit endorsement” of Islamophobia in his Conservative Party.

Sadiq Khan’s accusation came after the “belated” suspension of Conservative MP Lee Anderson, who refused to apologize for saying in a TV interview that “Islamists” had “got control” of the mayor.

“I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London,” Anderson told GB News. “He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.”

Khan said Muslims are considered “fair game” for prejudice by the Conservatives.

It comes amid a series of scandals for the governing party after its former leader Liz Truss attended a major conservative conference in the US where she appeared on a panel at which British far-right figure Tommy Robinson was praised, and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman penned an article for the Daily Telegraph suggesting “Islamists” are “in charge” of the UK.

Over the weekend, senior party figures failed to fully condemn Anderson despite his suspension, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.

Khan said: “Blatant anti-Muslim hatred is being tolerated from top to bottom of the party, with everyone from ministers to mayoral candidates failing to condemn even the most clear-cut examples of bigotry and racism.”

He added: “Anderson’s comments have poured petrol on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred … The message it sends is some forms of hatred and racism are acceptable. Enough is enough.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Sunak has “extremists” in his party acting “with impunity.” Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds said in a letter to her Conservative counterpart Richard Holden that Anderson’s comments are “unambiguously Islamophobic, divisive and damaging.”

She cited other incidents of Islamophobia in the governing part, including London mayoral candidate Susan Hall’s suggestion that Jewish Londoners were “frightened” of Khan’s “divisive attitude” in October, and Conservative MP Nus Ghani saying she was told her “Muslimness” made “colleagues uncomfortable” by an unnamed party official in 2020.

Truss, meanwhile, has been criticized by former Chancellor Sir Sajid Javid for failing to address comments made by US conservative figure Steve Bannon at the Conservative Political Action Conference in which he called Robinson a “hero.”

ALSO READ-Indian delegation to visit London to resolve FTA issues

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‘365% spike in reports of Islamophobia since Oct 2023’

Many of the Islamophobic incidents have involved people being targeted over their support for Palestine as the war in Gaza continues…reports Asian Lite News

An enormous rise in Islamophobic incidents against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war has led many Muslims in the UK to fear leaving their homes after dark, The Independent reported.

Many of the Islamophobic incidents have involved people being targeted over their support for Palestine as the war in Gaza continues.

Muslims who spoke to The Independent said they had bricks thrown through their windows for displaying the Palestinian flag, and a 17-year-old was questioned by his teachers after he displayed a Palestinian badge on his bag at school.

Islamophobia Response Unit, a charity dedicated to supporting victims of Islamophobia, said there was a 365 percent increase in reports of Islamophobia in October 2023, following Hamas’ attack on Israel that month.

“Since October 2023, IRU has seen a sustained increase in reports to the unit,” said IRU CEO Majid Iqbal.

“It is clear that this is now developing into a long-term trend and is having a profound impact on those affected by it. IRU calls on the press and politicians to not demonize legitimate Palestinian activism and, by extension, British Muslims, to avoid feeding into the serious societal problem of Islamophobia,” he said.

Tell MAMA, another body that records anti-Muslim hate incidents, said there were 2,010 Islamophobic incidents between Oct. 7 and Feb. 7, more than triple the 600 reported during the same period the year before.

The figures were released in the same week that Tory MP Lee Anderson was suspended by the Conservative Party after making comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan that have been widely condemned as Islamophobic.

Anderson told GB News on Friday that “Islamists” had “got control” of the mayor of London and the capital city.

“I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London … He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates,” the former Tory deputy chairman said.

Of the cases reported to IRU, a 17-year-old Londoner said he was interrogated by teachers about his faith and “his understanding of Hamas” after he put a Palestinian badge on his school bag.

The Year 13 student said he felt targeted because he was Muslim, which triggered an anxiety attack and led to exam failure.

“The numerous instances of being pulled out whilst studying to remove my badge made me feel like I was targeted because I was a Muslim, which made me feel like I was doing something wrong,” the boy said.

“This feeling of being targeted intensified following the intimidating interrogation, which I was subjected to,” he added. A 32-year-old doctor said he has been too scared to leave his home after an attack he believes stemmed from his support for Palestine.

He was awoken on Feb. 5 after a large rock smashed through a window at his Manchester home, which displayed a Palestinian flag. He said he was unable to sleep and took two weeks off work as a result of the incident.

“This event has been extremely traumatic and has had a significant impact on my well-being,” he told The Independent.

“I am not sleeping; I just pace around until 4 or 5 a.m. because I am too scared to sleep in the property. I no longer leave the house after sunset, as I am too frightened.

“I will soon be returning to work after two weeks off sick with stress, but I am very concerned about the impact this event will have on my professional performance as a doctor. I do not know how I can work with patients whilst I am this sleep-deprived,” he added.

ALSO READ-Rahul Gandhi granted bail in 2018 defamation case

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Food London News Restaurant Reviews

Vegan Culinary Delights: W Hotel London

With more and more people adopting vegan plant based diet and especially being dedicated to Veganism, W hotel showcased their Veganuary menu in style. Head Chef Rohan Almeida said that “ hotel has been getting very good feedback from diners after trying the vegan dishes we have had on our menu, it inspired me to celebrate the vegan month of January by curating a special three course vegan menu.” A feature by FnB columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.

The menu consisted of a starter of spiced tofu marinated in gochujang seasoning served with coriander chilli pesto and coconut yogurt. This was a very light and smooth starter to get started with the meal experience.

For mains there was a choice of aubergine quinoa chickpea ragu which is one of their zero waste dish that was served with tempura courgette flower and a caper with tomato salsa- this dish was a balance of texture, colours and taste.

The other mains option they were serving was redefine meat burger, a burger which was plant base severed with avocado chilli, harissa slaw and sweet potato fries. It gave the feel of having a regular burger but with vegan goodness! 

Both the mains were very delicious and full of culinary finesse.

To finish off the vegan meal W hotel london menu had a showstopper dessert that looked like an apple but which they titled “not an apple”. This was a colourful, tasty and a very light dessert that can surely inspire many to turn vegan! It was a delicious apple crumble with the notes of coconut, cinnamon to add layers of flavour and depth to it .

The service was impeccable, the presentation impressive, portion sizes were generous and taste was outstanding! This vegan meal was surely an amazing one, and one to remember! 

About Head Chef Rohan Almeida 

Chef Rohan has over a decade of experience in the hotel industry. Originally from India, years ago he came to UK to pursue his dream; to further study culinary arts and hospitality management in a west London college after which he started his culinary journey in one of London’s leading five star hotels -Grosvenor House, A J W Marriott hotel at Park Lane. During his tenure at JW Marriott he got a chance to work with well known chefs like Nigel Boschetti, Robert Stephens, Paul Hallet, from whom he learned a lot he feels. Currently Chef Rohan is handling the role of Head Chef for W London. With a unique blend creative flair with a true passion for food, his engaging interpersonal skills, he has a strong record of streamlining kitchen operations and ensuring best food quality and service standards. He believes in maintaining traditional recipes though giving it innovative new-age presentation.

About W Hotel, London 

Located in Soho, every main attraction in central London orbits this luxe landmark hotel within walking distance. It’s a pedestrian’s paradise for shopping, food and entertainment. Everything from Leicester Square to Carnaby Street and Covent Garden is a love letter to your hedonistic heart. It has luxurious rooms and suites with a playful design and a touch of Cool Britannia.

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Lite Blogs London News UK News

The King of Bhangra To Perform in London

The King of Bhangra + New Soundz at the Southbank Centre’s First South Asian Sounds Festival 7-10 March 2024…reports Asian Lite News

Over four days from the 7th to the 10th of March 2024, London’s Southbank Centre presents the inaugural South Asian Sounds festival: a diverse programme reflecting the wealth of talented South Asian musicians and artists. Artists from the South Asian diaspora have been carefully curated to present audiences with a stunning range of classical and contemporary music that reflects the diversity of the region and its people.

The South Asian Sounds festival has been developed in co-ordination with the UK’s leading South Asian booking agencies, including Bristol based and globally renowned Asian Arts Agency. Its special programme provides a snapshot of the diversity of South Asian music including the King of Bhangra, Malkit Singh, beatboxer and DJ, Jason Singh and avant garde jazz musician, Sarathy Korwar.

Jason Singh and Sarathy Korwar

Malkit Singh MBE Golden Star takes to the stage for South Asian Sounds’ Friday night’s premiere event at the Royal Festival Hall. From ‘Outstanding Achievement’ at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards to being honoured on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars, Malkit Singh’s is a performance and recording icon.

Vocal performances that shot Malkit Singh to extraordinary heights of international fame include the hit song from which Malkit takes his moniker ‘Kali Ainak’ (‘Golden Star’) and ‘Gur Nalo Ishq Mitha’ and ‘Tutak Tutak Toothiyan’. The latter song was penned by Veer Rahimpuri and became the fastest selling and most successful Bhangra single at the time. Malkit’s performances on ‘Chal Hun’ and ‘Jind Mahi featured on the movie soundtrack for ‘Bend It Like Beckham’. Malkit Singh MBE was listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest selling bhangra solo artist of all time and is acknowledged internationally for taking Punjabi folk music onto a world stage. In 2008, Malkit Singh became the first Punjabi singer to be honoured with an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II.

New Soundz

The finale concert of South Asian Sounds takes place in the evening of Sunday March 10th in the Queen Elizabeth Hall and is actually a three-in-one innovative performance of contemporary music and sounds called New Soundz. This event is a follow on from Asian Arts Agency’s well received and attended New Soundz festival which took place in Bristol in November 2023.

The star musicians for this final performance are exceptionally talented artists who both strive to stretch musical borders and succeed effortlessly. They are sound artist extraordinaire, Jason Singh and genre-defying musician Sarathy Korwar, who will both perform solo shows and then come together for a collaborative show.

Dubbed the ‘human sampler’ by BBC Radio 6, Jason Singh’s solo section crafts immersive soundscapes drawn from nature’s diverse sounds and then a collaborative performance with award-winning Sarathy Korwar as the festival finale. Singh and Korwar explore a range of soundscapes, drawing inspiration from Indian classical ragas, jazz, ambient, avant-garde hip-hop, dub and the natural world.

“Asian Arts Agency has been promoting artists, curating events and developing new talent from across the globe for over fifteen years” comments Director Jaswinder Singh. “The Southbank Centre is known for innovation and cultural diversity and it is an honour to have our artists participating in the Southbank Centre’s inaugural South Asian Sounds festival this March. For the first festival edition, we are focusing on presenting some of the best of British Asian artists including crowd favourite, Malkit Singh and his high energy performance to the more ambient sounds style of Sarathy Korwar and the upbeat beats of Jason Singh, we are confident that our artists will provide something for everyone attending. Given our international and national work, collaborating with Southbank Centre is a significant step for our work and we’re excited to see how audiences will react.”

ALSO READ-Corporate Responsibility in Arts Promotion

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India-born Banker Eyes Greener London in 2024 Mayoral Bid

Calling ULEZ unfair, he said wealthy Londoners can easily afford the 12.50-pound daily charge for non-compliant vehicles, while those on lower incomes are deterred from using their cars…reports Asian Lite News

An India-born investment banker, standing as an independent in the 2024 London Mayoral election, has said that he comes from a country where toxic air is a big issue, and wants things to be “greener and more effective” in the British capital.

Tarun Ghulati told The Standard newspaper that he was entering the race, due to be held on May 2 this year, to “get London moving again” as the capital has “lot its mojo”.

“I certainly come from a country where toxic air is a big issue and I believe we should work towards making things greener and more effective,” Ghulati, who expects to be polling ahead of the Liberal Democrat and Green candidates within six weeks, told The Standard.

Having lived in London for more than 20 years, the 63-year-old said he wants to completely scrap the Ultra low emission zone (ULEZ), remove the congestion charge on weekends and abolish low traffic neighbourhoods.

According to Ghulati, hindrances to cars, such as road-blocks in low traffic neighbourhoods, were in fact contributing to pollution by causing vehicles to stand still and emit fumes.

Calling ULEZ unfair, he said wealthy Londoners can easily afford the 12.50-pound daily charge for non-compliant vehicles, while those on lower incomes are deterred from using their cars.

His other priorities include increasing police presence on the street and building more police stations in areas where there is a high crime rate.

The 2024 London mayoral election is scheduled to be held on May 2, and will take place simultaneously with elections to the London Assembly and local elections across England and Wales.

Sadiq Khan, who has been the Mayor of London since 2016, is seeking re-election as the Labour candidate.

A total of 12 candidates have reportedly declared that they will be running for the job, which includes Conservative Susan Hill, Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie, Reform UK’s Howard Cox, Green Party’s Zoe Garbett and Social Democratic Party’s Amy Gallagher.

While Mayoral elections are traditionally held every four years, voting was last held in 2021 instead of 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will be the first time the election will use the first-past-the-post system.

Mayoral elections are traditionally held every four years.

However, voters last went to the polls in 2021 rather than 2020 as the election was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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