We’re delighted to introduce you to the groups taking part in this years Asian Spring. We can’t wait to welcome over 80 dancers to the Town Hall stage on the 26th February, but before you see them perform, find out who you’ll be watching!
Compere for this years Asian Spring is Satnam Rana-Grindley
Atreyee Dance
Atreyee Dance is led by Atreyee Bhattacharyya, who learned Kathak under the tutelage of Guru Bandana Sen with Lucknow Gharanas. She runs regular classes in Kathak and Creative Indian dances in Birmingham and Solihull for both children and adults, with performances all over UK since 2019.
Axomiya Xangskitik Xangha
A Birmingham based group promoting Assamese culture. More to follow.
Bengali Association Midlands
Since 1970, Bengali Association Midlands has brought people interested in Indian culture and tradition together, irrespective of gender, race and religion. The group seeks to preserve Indian heritage and promote the Bengali language, culture, social values, and religious activities among the entire spectrum of Indian communities across the UK. Bengali Association Midlands reach out to people of all ages, with particular emphasis on young people, so they can join with their elders to understand the rich heritage of Indian culture.
Bollywood Dreams
A group who have been performing in Asian Spring for nineteen years are Bollywood Dreams, the largest Bollywood Dance organisation in the West Midlands. Set up over a decade ago by Artistic Director Reena Tailor, Bollywood Dreams provides outstanding dance training to over 180 students, aged four and up. They teach at seven different locations on seven different days of the week across Birmingham, Solihull and Wolverhampton.
CAT Yuva Gati
The national Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) Yuva Gati students are one of the groups taking part. An elite training programme for young people aged 11-18, who show exceptional talent and potential in Bharatanatyam and Kathak, Yuva Gati is funded by the Department of Education Music and Dance Scheme, and is led by FABRIC, the new strategic organisation created from the merger of Birmingham’s DanceXchange and Nottingham’s Dance4, in partnership with Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage.
Chitraleka Dance Academy
Founded in 1990, Chitraleka Dance Academy has trained many dancers who have now gone on to developing and enriching the dance scene throughout the United Kingdom. They see their work as an investment for the future of the country’s cultural prosperity. The company is one of the first Youth Dance companies in Britain to be founded on a strong repertoire of classical Indian dance and dance-drama work.
Devyani Dance Group
Devyani Dance Group are based in Solihull, led by Debjani Deshpande. Debjani teaches and explores the beauty, dynamism, and power of pure Kathak. For 10 years now, Debjani has been teaching individual and group Kathak lessons every week in Solihull.
Gospel Oak Elite
Gospel Oak Elite is made up of a variety of girls aged between 11-18 years. During their time at Gospel Oak High School, some of these students choose to study dance as part of their education, and others come along to additional classes after school in order to explore cultural and diverse dance styles.
India Island Academy
Based in the heart of Birmingham, India Island Academy run weekly classes in a wide range of arts, all under the same roof. From vibrant dance forms like Indian Classical Dance and Bollywood to soulful Carnatic vocals, yoga and meditation, creative painting, baking, arts and crafts and language classes. India Island Academy take students back to their roots and allow them to feel close to home.
Kaishiki
Named after the graceful style detailed in the Natya Shastra, Kaishiki is a performance group comprising of dancers mainly trained in Bharatanatyam. Since its inception in 2018, the group have performed in venues across the West Midlands. Recently, in 2021, they were awarded funding by Arts Council England for their latest project ‘Synergy’, a video project in collaboration with a choreographer, music composer and videographer.
Sonia Sabri’s Kathakaars
Audiences can expect to be wowed by Sonia Sabri’s Kathakaars. The Kathakaars are participants of internationally renowned Sonia Sabri’s weekly Kathak class, aimed at strengthening and nourishing students physically, mentally and emotionally. Trained by Sonia Sabri, Sarvar Sabri and other members of the teaching Faculty, the classes are specially designed for all ages and abilities, giving everyone the chance to perform on the legendary Town Hall Stage.
Ultimate Bhangra
They’ll be lively ‘n loud, be prepared to join in! More to follow.
Get your tickets for Asian Spring here, a family ticket (two adults & two children) is just £24.