“This event was organised at breakneck speed"
On July 22, 2024, to mark South Asian Heritage Month, Birmingham City University (BCU) held a concert titled ‘The Music Of Our Community’.
The concert, held at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Bradshaw Hall, showcased the richness of diversity.
Moreover, the event wonderfully highlighted the vibrancy of South Asian culture and heritage, which have left a lasting legacy within Birmingham.
BCU welcomed students and community members to a colourful celebration of South Asian classical and contemporary dance and music.
Sumera Farman, a Birmingham resident and writer who attended the event, told DESIblitz:
”I think the event is definitely important in celebrating South Asian Heritage Month; more people need to be introduced to South Asian culture.
“There’s so much negativity in the world about South Asians in general; this event showed the magic.
“This isn’t my usual type of event. It was interesting and fun to watch the different types of dance, such as the Bharatanatyam.
“And the cover version of Lata Mangeshkar’s song [Satyam Shivam Sundaram] by Natasha Seth was surprisingly good.”
The first performance by Natasha Rose Seth, a rising singer-songwriter, was a beautiful start to the evening.
Audiences then saw a spellbinding Kathak performance by Kesha Raithatha.
Kesha is a British-Asian female dancer and choreographer who trains and freelances between India and the UK.
Kesha’s entrancing performance was followed by an engaging Bharatanatyam duet (classical Indian dance) by Prem Rai and Dhivya Srilakshmi.
Prem and Dhivya stressed that events celebrating and highlighting South Asian heritage, music and dance are invaluable.
Prem (based in London) told DESIblitz: “These events are important.
“There’s not just classical; it’s more accessible. Hoping to inspire younger generations to get Indian classical arts into their bodies and minds. ”
Dhivya, who is studying in Leeds and is from India, asserted:
“In the UK, you have to cater to the entire audience; there’s no time to do a half-hour backstory on the mythology. If we did, people would get bored and leave […]
“We try to innovate different movements. We incorporate more contemporary movements but also keep the classical-ness in it.
“So that again is innovation in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, or whatever you do. It’s very important.”
A virtuoso performance from celebrated international violinist Ustad Johar Ali headlined the event. Members of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire joined him, to the audience’s pleasure.
Pupils from the RBC St Benedict’s Primary School of Music later joined Ustad and the Members of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on stage, to the audience’s cheers.
A Bollywood dance finale to a medley of songs from India Island Academy ended the evening with further energy.
BCU successfully organised an event that was a captivating medley of classical and contemporary music and dance.
Each artist filled their act with passion and engaged audience members across age groups.
BCU is focused on giving back to Birmingham and helping the city and its communities thrive.
The organisers reflected their focus on supporting the community in the ticket prices, making the event accessible at two pounds per ticket.
Moreover, the money raised through ticket sales will be going back into nurturing musical talent and young minds.
Professor Harris Beider, BCU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation, at the end of the event stated:
“This event was organised at breakneck speed because we wanted to do it. We wanted to do it for the people of Birmingham […].
“This time next year, we’ll do it again. We will do it again.
“We’re going to get kids here; we’re going to get communities here, anyone who is interested, because diversity for this university is an asset […]”
Moreover, Professor Beider told DESIblitz:
“I am delighted that Birmingham City University has taken the initiative to convene a community conference for the people of Birmingham – our students, staff, stakeholders and residents.
“Being part of South Asian Heritage Month means that we celebrate the contribution to Birmingham over many decades.
“In the next 12 months, BCU will seek to work with partners across the city in a radical programme of engagement and enterprise that delivers impact and increase skill to grow the economy.”
South Asian Heritage Month commenced on July 18, 2024, and ends on August 17.
Various events will occur across Birmingham and the UK, allowing people to explore and enjoy the richness of South Asian culture and heritage.
View this post on Instagram
Loading ...