This summer, Sampad and Midlands Arts Centre are turning up the heat with Midsummer Masti – an immersive celebration of South Asian weddings, bursting with vibrant tradition, music and dance. Behind the glitz, glamour and garlands is a creative team who have designed this one-of-a-kind experience.
Meet the Creative Team
Dharmesh Rajput
The man behind the look and feel of our vibrant wedding set is none other than Dharmesh Rajput, a Brummie creative and academic whose career spans 14 years at the BBC. Now a course director at Birmingham City University and head of the Birmingham Indian Film Festival, he’s also a longtime friend of Sampad. Dharmesh’s design transforms the stage into a celebration-worthy space full of culture, texture and joyful detail.
Vimal Korpal
A dynamic presenter, theatre-maker and everyone’s favourite guest (he’s got the invites to prove it!), Vimal Korpal will be your guide through the evening’s many magical moments. Full of warmth, wit, and welcome – Vimal is your wedding MC and masti-maker in one.
DJ Palak
From crunching numbers to dropping beats, DJ Palak is a force of nature. By day, she’s a Chartered Accountant. By night, she’s the party’s heartbeat. Born in Chandigarh and raised on UK dancefloors, her genre-blending sets are fearless and full of fire. She’s here to light up the night and make sure the finale dance floor is one for the ages. Ready to let loose? DJ Palak’s got you.
Meet the Artists
Midsummer Masti opens with a vibrant curtain-raiser by young talents from Sampad’s Summer School, led by choreographer Jaya Khazaei. The celebration continues with a rich tapestry of performances: India Island Academy showcases joyful Telugu and Gujarati wedding traditions; Purbanat brings the heartfelt rhythms of Sylheti folk songs; Chitraleka Dance Academy presents the symbolic and intimate rituals of a Kannadiga wedding; The Bengali Association captures the grace and emotion of a traditional Biye; and Anjali Dance lights up the stage with a spirited Marathi Sangeet.
Adding to the festivities, Sharonjit Kaur Sutton leads colourful garland-making workshops, inviting all ages to join the celebration through creativity and craft.
Bringing the Feast
No South Asian wedding is complete without incredible food and drink, and our friends at Dishoom Birmingham are stepping up with a delicious on-the-house menu:
- Homemade Popcorn
- Fresh Nimbu Soda – a tangy, fizzy refreshment
- House Chai – warm, spiced and made the traditional way
And from the Midlands Arts Centre café:
- Cauliflower, Chickpea & Spinach Curry – creamy, coconutty, and plant-based goodness (£8.95)
Join us at the wedding of the year, tickets are £11.95 (under 16s £7.95) and are available from the Midlands Arts Centre website here.