Community festival celebrating South Asian Culture
FREE entry!
Star Plus presents Sandwell & Birmingham Mela in association with O2. Come and join the fun at this community festival celebrating South Asian Culture and showcasing talent.
www.birminghammela.com
www.facebook.com/BirminghamMela
www.twitter.com/BirminghamMela
Presented by Sampad in partnership with Sandwell & Birmingham Mela and supported by Arts Council England
Sampad Showcase Stage (in marquee): Saturday 6 July
ALL TIMINGS ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
12 noon: Hina & Co
Hina Chavda has been dancing since the age of 2. Her family background is steeped in dance and she has studied under Sonia Sabri. “Hina and Co” train and perform a variety of dance repertoires including Kathak, Classical, Bhangra, Bollywood and Urban Fusion.
Hina has also personally done a lot of charity work, which has included travelling to Bangalore in India to perform for a show that raised over £26,000 for Sight Savers and HIV sufferers.
Last year Hina Dancers were involved in many exciting projects including Sampad’s Moving Earth, the Olympic Torch Relays, performing for The Queen and performing at Disneyland Paris.
12.20pm: Diverse Dance Company
Diverse Dance Company is a group of young friends committed to presenting the traditional dance forms Bharatanatyam and Kathak in a modern light. They will present a duet. (Saturday only)
12.40pm: Sonia Sabri’s Kathakaars.
Sonia Sabri is one of UK’s finest Kathak artists and is internationally acclaimed for her artistry. She teaches regular classes in Birmingham and master classes across the country. She is the Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company, which tours ground breaking productions across the globe.
1pm: Bollywood Dance workshop with Hina Chavda
You can see information about Hina above
1.35pm: Tales from the Panchatantra
The Panchatantra are ancient Indian fables that were written to teach young princes the necessary values to make them great kings. Each tale has its own unique moral.
In today’s show Rohit Ballal turns the fable of the crocodile and the monkey into a live poetry performance. He will be joined by Steve Scott on bass guitar .
2.15pm: Kismat
Makesh Dadry, Michael Hans & Hemant Patel will perform exquisite Hindi songs using an acoustic guitar, percussion and vocals.
2.45pm: Bharatanatyam workshop for beginners with Dimple Chauhan (Saturday only)
With 10 years performance and choreography experience, Dimple extends her skills as a classical dancer, teacher and workshop leader across education, community and theatre contexts.
As Creative Director and Senior Dance Teacher at Nupur Arts Dance Academy, Dimple works closely with young people to develop their choreography and performance skills, and has directed and produced a number of shows for the Company, including a large dance extravaganza for Leicester’s Special Olympics Opening Ceremony.
3.30pm: Kirpal Singh Panesar
Regarded as a rising star in the UK today, Kirpal has won acclaim for his skilled performances using the Tar-Shehnai and the Dilruba, two traditional and unique Indian String instrument. His brother Gurdit Singh Panesar will accompany him on tabla.
4pm: Haripa!
Haripa! ladies dance group was founded by Amarjit Gill and seeks to promote cultural awareness of Punjabi Folk Dance (Giddha and Bhangra) to the wider community.
The word ‘Haripa!’ (Hurray!) is a slang Punjabi word that is shouted out to express enthusiasm, joy and happiness whilst dancing, and reflects Haripa’s dynamic, vivacious dance style.
Haripa perform a unique choreographed dance style that is a vibrant blend of Giddha and Bhangra with with some Bollywood dance. The gestures tell a story as well as being passionate, exuberant and displaying feminine grace.
The performers are Amarjit Gill, Eamon Ahmed, Hardeep Kaur, Katy McCullagh, Marcella Edgecombe-Craig
Further information can be found on Facebook (Haripa Dancegroup) or email haripa@live.co.uk
4.15pm: Anjali Dance Group (Saturday only)
Anjali Dance Group is based in Solihull and has been actively involved in various dance events including Bharatanatyam and Bollywood dance in and around Solihull and Birmingham.
For more information, please email anjalidances@gmail.com
4.30pm: Nachda Sansaar Interactive Bhangra dance workshop
Join in this fun and exciting dance! Nachda Sansaar has been working in educational establishments for over twenty years now and have worked throughout the UK and abroad.
Bhangra is a traditional form of dance which originates from Punjab. The name “Punjab” means the “land of five rivers” so called because of the five rivers that flow through it. Due to this, the region has extremely good soil and is considered ideal farming land. Bhangra was initially used as a celebratory folk dance which heralded the coming of spring, or Vaisakhi.
5.10pm: Kuchipudi dancer Kopal Vedam
ABOUT THE DANCER, KOPAL VEDAM
Initiated into Kuchipudi at the age of seven, Kopal has been trained under eminent gurus and has overall experience of more than two decades as a professional dancer and a performer. A postgraduate in Performing Arts (Kuchipudi Dance) from University of Hyderabad, recipient of a scholarship for young artists of the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India and author of Dancing Doras (on tribes of Andhra Pradesh), Kopal has traveled extensively in India and overseas. She runs a dance school by name — “Kaivalya Academy of Art and Culture” in Coventry (UK).
ABOUT THE DANCE FORM, KUCHIPUDI
Kuchipudi is an ancient dance form of India that has its roots in the southern province of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram. It is a unique form of Art, which is the tasteful blend of both grace and vigor.
5.25pm: performance poet Amerah Saleh
This spoken word artist and human rights supporter has been performing for five years and writing her whole life. She aims to inspire and enthuse the younger generation while also making the older generation look at the current state of society and address what needs to change. She is not afraid to pose questions that others may not want to ask, but need to be answered.
5.45pm: Krupali Parmar
Krupali will perform a dance that fuses classical with contemporary incorporating harmonious body and footwork.
6.15pm: Azad Kashmir Folk Group
Formed in 1984, Birmingham-based Azad Kashmir Folk Group have a dedicated following both in the UK and in Pakistan. They are recognised as one of the leading exponents of ‘Sher Khawani’ (folk poetry). This traditional folk music traces its roots back over seven hundred years to the spiritual folk songs of the rugged hill tracks of Pohotowar in Pakistan and regions of Jammu & Kashmir. As a musical style it is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of the Sufi saints; Sufism is a mystical school of thought, which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience.
An ensemble of accomplished musicians, the AKF Group, combines a range of instruments, which includes the intricate classical sitars to the basic simple clay water pitcher. The Shaer Khawan (lead vocalist) sings devotional themes of peace, love, pain and suffering. This universal message, the group believe is needed in the world today more than ever and they are committed to spreading it through their music.
The group have performed all over the UK at festivals, melas and community centres. In 2010 their Arts Council funded national tour of arts centres enthralled capacity audiences and expanded the appreciation of their music across diverse communities.
Contact: Mukhtar Dar, Group Manager 077369 23865 or email m.dar@the-drum.org.uk
Supported by The Drum
Sampad Showcase Stage (in marquee): Sunday 7 July
ALL TIMINGS ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
12 noon: Hina & Co
Hina Chavda has been dancing since the age of 2. Her family background is steeped in dance and she has studied under Sonia Sabri. “Hina and Co” train and perform a variety of dance repertoires including Kathak, Classical, Bhangra, Bollywood and Urban Fusion.
Hina has also personally done a lot of charity work, which has included travelling to Bangalore in India to perform for a show that raised over £26,000 for Sight Savers and HIV sufferers.
Last year Hina Dancers were involved in many exciting projects including Sampad’s Moving Earth, the Olympic Torch Relays, performing for The Queen and performing at Disneyland Paris.
12.20pm: Chitraleka Dance Academy (Sunday only)
Chitraleka Dance Academy presents 3 upcoming young Bharatanatyam dancers from the West Midlands: Anaya Bolar, Saijal Patel, Anuradha Venugopal.
Chitraleka Dance Academy is the training wing of Chitraleka Dance Company which has a 32 year history in the dance sector; training, education and touring productions. The Academy provides a programme of structured training in Classical Bharatanatyam to people of all ages through regular classes and intensive courses.
12.40pm: Sonia Sabri’s Kathakaars
Sonia Sabri is one of UK’s finest Kathak artists and is internationally acclaimed for her artistry. She teaches regular classes in Birmingham and master classes across the country. She is the Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company, which tours ground breaking productions across the globe.
1pm: Bollywood Dance workshop with Hina Chavda
You can see information about Hina above
1.35pm: Tales from the Panchatantra
The Panchatantra are ancient Indian fables that were written to teach young princes the necessary values to make them great kings. Each tale has its own unique moral.
In today’s show Rohit Ballal turns the fable of the crocodile and the monkey into a live poetry performance. He will be joined by Steve Scott on bass guitar .
2.15pm: Kismat
Makesh Dadry, Michael Hans & Hemant Patel will perform exquisite Hindi songs using an acoustic guitar, percussion and vocals.
2.45pm: Chitraleka Dance Academy (Sunday only)
Chitraleka Dance Academy presents 3 upcoming young Bharatanatyam dancers from the West Midlands: Anaya Bolar, Saijal Patel, Anuradha Venugopal.
Chitraleka Dance Academy is the training wing of Chitraleka Dance Company which has a 32 year history in the dance sector; training, education and touring productions. The Academy provides a programme of structured training in Classical Bharatanatyam to people of all ages through regular classes and intensive courses.
3.30pm: Kirpal Singh Panesar
Regarded as a rising star in the UK today, Kirpal has won acclaim for his skilled performances using the Tar-Shehnai and the Dilruba, two traditional and unique Indian String instrument. His brother Gurdit Singh Panesar will accompany him on tabla.
4pm: Haripa!
Haripa! ladies dance group was founded by Amarjit Gill and seeks to promote cultural awareness of Punjabi Folk Dance (Giddha and Bhangra) to the wider community.
The word ‘Haripa!’ (Hurray!) is a slang Punjabi word that is shouted out to express enthusiasm, joy and happiness whilst dancing, and reflects Haripa’s dynamic, vivacious dance style.
Haripa perform a unique choreographed dance style that is a vibrant blend of Giddha and Bhangra with with some Bollywood dance. The gestures tell a story as well as being passionate, exuberant and displaying feminine grace.
The performers are Amarjit Gill, Eamon Ahmed, Hardeep Kaur, Katy McCullagh, Marcella Edgecombe-Craig.
Further information can be found on Facebook — “Haripa Dancegroup” or email “haripa@live.co.uk“mailto:haripa@live.co.uk
4.30pm: Nachda Sansaar Interactive Bhangra dance workshop
Join in this fun and exciting dance! Nachda Sansaar has been working in educational establishments for over twenty years now and have worked throughout the UK and abroad.
Bhangra is a traditional form of dance which originates from Punjab. The name “Punjab” means the “land of five rivers” so called because of the five rivers that flow through it. Due to this, the region has extremely good soil and is considered ideal farming land. Bhangra was initially used as a celebratory folk dance which heralded the coming of spring, or Vaisakhi.
5.10pm: Kuchipudi dancer Kopal Vedam
ABOUT THE DANCER, KOPAL VEDAM
Initiated into Kuchipudi at the age of seven, Kopal has been trained under eminent gurus and has overall experience of more than two decades as a professional dancer and a performer. A postgraduate in Performing Arts (Kuchipudi Dance) from University of Hyderabad, recipient of a scholarship for young artists of the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India and author of Dancing Doras (on tribes of Andhra Pradesh), Kopal has traveled extensively in India and overseas. She runs a dance school by name — “Kaivalya Academy of Art and Culture” in Coventry (UK).
ABOUT THE DANCE FORM, KUCHIPUDI
Kuchipudi is an ancient dance form of India that has its roots in the southern province of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram. It is a unique form of Art, which is the tasteful blend of both grace and vigor.
5.25pm: performance poet Amerah Saleh
This spoken word artist and human rights supporter has been performing for five years and writing her whole life. She aims to inspire and enthuse the younger generation while also making the older generation look at the current state of society and address what needs to change. She is not afraid to pose questions that others may not want to ask, but need to be answered.
5.45pm: Krupali Parmar
Krupali will perform a dance that fuses classical with contemporary incorporating harmonious body and footwork.
6.15pm: Azad Kashmir Folk Group
Formed in 1984, Birmingham-based Azad Kashmir Folk Group have a dedicated following both in the UK and in Pakistan. They are recognised as one of the leading exponents of ‘Sher Khawani’ (folk poetry). This traditional folk music traces its roots back over seven hundred years to the spiritual folk songs of the rugged hill tracks of Pohotowar in Pakistan and regions of Jammu & Kashmir. As a musical style it is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of the Sufi saints; Sufism is a mystical school of thought, which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience.
An ensemble of accomplished musicians, the AKF Group, combines a range of instruments, which includes the intricate classical sitars to the basic simple clay water pitcher. The Shaer Khawan (lead vocalist) sings devotional themes of peace, love, pain and suffering. This universal message, the group believe is needed in the world today more than ever and they are committed to spreading it through their music.
The group have performed all over the UK at festivals, melas and community centres. In 2010 their Arts Council funded national tour of arts centres enthralled capacity audiences and expanded the appreciation of their music across diverse communities.
Contact: Mukhtar Dar, Group Manager 077369 23865 or email m.dar@the-drum.org.uk
Supported by The Drum
Sampad Crafts Marquee, Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July, 1-4pm
Join Neemita Dabhi in the sampad craft marquee for some interactive rangoli using rice and coconut.