Chhau Dancers
Chhau brings together breathtaking gymnastics, exhilarating rhythmic drumming and dazzling costumes in a spectacular display for the senses. Dressed in elaborate masks representing gods, monsters and animals, the Chhau dancers execute powerful acrobatic movem¬ents and mid-air somersaults. With origins in the martial arts, the performers from eastern India display a heroic mastery of swords, bows and shields as they act out a ‘dance-drama’ based on popular tales and themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. Accompanied by a mixed musical ensemble, Chhau is an absolute marvel to watch and guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Dance Dhemaka
Kala Sangam presents Devika Rao & and group who will perform the classical Indian dance style from south India -Bharata Natyam. They will perform a swaram - An abstract dance with elaborate footwork and graceful movements. Music by Balakrishna Bangalore.
DCS
Formed in 1983, DCS have gone from strength to strength over the years, building an army of fans worldwide. Innovative and influential in the development of the British bhangra industry, the DCS sound is for all generations, and they have produced albums in Punjabi, Hindi and English that have gained global recognition and international airplay. Renowned for their live shows they have toured worldwide and scooped the award for 'Best Live Band' at all the major award presentations.
Desi Bravehearts
The group consist of 9 young people from Scottish, Indian, Chinese and Pakistani backgrounds. The group were trained by the much sought after choreographer in the Bollywood Film Industry Pratap Shetty. Pratap was one of the choreographers for Nach Baliye 3 the Indian equivalent to Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. The group will be performing dances including a Mujra style (Girls only) and Bollywood freestyle (mixed).
FIPA
FIPA is the leading UK arts organisation of stilt dance productions featuring its unique group of BAME (Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic) group of stilt performers. The company produces performance work of different genres and has been developing it's stunning outdoor stilt perfomances for festivals and outdoor spaces for the last three years.
Handmadehands
handmadehands are a three piece indie/folk band from Leeds. They have recently finished recording and mixing their debut album
Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band
Originating from Jaipur, the city of the maharajas, the Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band play a range of traditional brass instruments including trumpets, trombones, tubas, clarinets and saxophones. Their music blends Indian melodies, driving brass rhythms and traditional Rajasthani folk music with popular themes from Bollywood, jazz, funk, pop, reggae…and even a touch of Hindustani classical music!
The spectacle is enhanced by their gypsy dancer – famous all over India for her ‘cobra dance’ – and the fire-eating fakir who juggles with knives and walks barefoot on nails and broken glass. The result of this vibrant synthesis of colour, sound and movement never fails to leave audiences the world over breathless and demanding more. A dazzling display not to be missed.
Manasamitra
Manasamitra, an artist led organisation based in the Yorkshire region was formed in 2005 to promote traditional Asian music and dance. Their objective is to create awareness of the rich cultural heritage of South Asian Arts, and to promote British based and international, musicians, artists and dancers, through concerts, events, exhibitions and workshops. Informed by India’s incredibly rich cultural heritage, Manasamitra offers up beautiful melodies and pulsating rhythms that intertwine with flowing dance and dazzling storytelling and inspiring art to take you on a journey that will delight your senses and lift your spirits.
Nachda Sansaar
Nachda Sansaar are a group of Punjabi Folk Dancers based in Birmingham. Since 1984 they have excelled themselves and spearheaded a campaign to keep the art of traditional Bhangra dancing alive. They choreograph contemporary routines using traditional Bhangra moves, with a western flavour. ‘Bhangra Freestyle’ is a spellbinding combination of traditional costumes, modern music and fusion dance.
Podhale Polish Dancers
Specialising in the traditional folk dances of Poland and Central Europe, with a varied repertoire of traditional dances and authentic folk costumes from Krakow region and the Polish Highlands.
Hussain Brothers Qawwali
The British based Hussain Brothers are steeped in over 100 years of Qawwali tradition. Leader of the group Imran Ahmed was taught by his grandfather, the late Ustad Haji Latafat Hussain Khan, the musical legend who also taught so many greats like Sabri brothers, Indian music director Noshad, Bashir Khan and many more. They sing a variety of styles of Qawwali and are famous for incorporating many different languages into their songs, such as Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Persian.
Shakti Arts
Shakti Arts is an energetic, diverse, female dance group founded in 1995, which is based within the community of Derby. Their main aim is to teach, promote and deliver various dance styles: Bollywood, Folk, Bhangra, Ghoomar, Garba/Dandia, Semi-Classical and Western Fusion. Starting out as a hang-out for young kids with the same interest, Shakti Arts has now blossomed into a dance group that has become widely recognised nationwide, with dance performances that are both unique and reviving.
Siddi Dhamal
A rare opportunity to see the unique folk dances of the Siddi community of Ahmedabad in the Gujarat, whose ancestors came from Africa. The ritual style performances have spiritual significance, and are performed by face-painted dancers dressed in tribal costume and headdresses decorated with feathers, dancing to the driving tempo of their drums.
Spice Entertainment
Spice Entertainment are considered to be one of the North's leading Bollywood entertainment companies. Starting as a small dance troupe, founded through Sunrise Radio in 1999, they are progressing to becoming the most well known Bollywood company in the north of England. Spice Entertainment has been involved with some of the biggest events in the UK, and are regular performers at Bradford Mela.
Sur Sangeet
Singing popular songs from Bollywood and Hindi Films, both old and new, this enchanting group also features a dancer.
Taal Tarang
Kala Sangam is pleased to welcome back Taal Tarangn or rhythm waves to Bradford. Taal Tarang is music from eastern and western percussion disciplines bringing together rhythm from south India and western European percussion.
Performers include brothers RN Prakash and RR Prathap on Mridangam and Ghatam (clay pot) and Sithambaranathan on Morsing (Jewish Harp) and also Bernhard Taalis on western rhythms. Come hear the sounds of Taal Tarang in a unique percussion performance.
Waxworks DJ set
Bradford's premier Urban Music Studio and creative production house for young people present local music DJs mixing urban, R&B and displaying their skills on the turntables.
- Artemis presents ‘Trikolor’- graceful winged spirits
- Artizani presents ‘Syrovy’ – madcap comedy character
- Bread and Butter Theatre – comedy mobile disco and synchronised swimmers
- Chhau dancers - dazzling costumes and gymnastics
- Chicks on Sticks - stiltwakers in colourful costumes
- Circo Rum Baba - circus skills and costumes.
- Eternal Taal drummers - dhol players and dancers
- FIPA –traditional Indian stories performed on stilts
- Granny Turismo - grannies on motorised shopping trolleys
- Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band – driving brass rhythms
- Jamba Samba – strolling Samba band
- Mind the Gap presents ‘Chicken Coup’ –runaway chickens on the loose
- Samande Jugglers –comedy juggling and unicycling
- Sidi Dhamaal – tribal drumming and dance
- Turbo Jonez and the Temple of Boom – comedy rap and break-dancing
- Wayzegoose dancers – traditional Morris dancers
