Glasgow Mela 2022 — Glasgow Life

Andy Duncan - An Indian Octet

Andy Duncan (SSO)- An Indian Octet

A new, boundary-breaking, eclectic, eight-piece ensemble of Indian classical and Western European orchestral instruments, playing original compositions by Andy Duncan. The form of the music draws on the North Indian classical tradition, whilst being scored and arranged in an orchestral style. Commissioned by Glasgow Mela.

Arjun Coomaraswamy

A London-based singer, songwriter and music producer. He has become known for his fusion of
contemporary Western and Eastern sounds, combining soulful R&B with elements of South Asian music. This
formula has made him a big hit with Asian youth across the globe. As a pioneer in the Hindi/R&B Fusion genre.
Arjun has set the standard for other young Asian artists now following in his footsteps.

person leading on side of wall in a white outfit

Arun Ghosh and Kapil Seshasayee

Indojazz sensation Arun Ghosh makes his debut at Glasgow Mela.

The British-Asian clarinettist and his band deliver a passionate and vibrant sound, driven by soaring melodies, hypnotic rhythms and transcendental textures.

Performing music from Arun’s brand new album, Seclused in Light, the show features futuristic Glasgow based guitarist, Kapil Seshasayee.

Atta Yaqub (Compere)

Atta has appeared in a number of tv and film roles over the years.

He has worked with acclaimed directors Ken loach and Danny Boyle and been involved in productions in the UK and across the world, including Good Morning Karachi, Emmerdale, River City and Wild Rose.

He is also recognised for his work as a presenter and community activist, supporting disadvantaged communities into positive opportunities.

Daughters of the Earth

Daughters of the Earth- is an interactive dance performance by Theiya Arts Dance Collective that focuses on the emergencies and urgency of climate change.

Through the medium and history of South Asian Dance, it traces the evolution of our relationship with nature.

Deesh Sandhu

Born & raised in London, Deesh Sandhu is an energetic and lively Panjabi Singer, performer and actress. She was BBC Asian Networks Future sounds artist 2020 and has also made her acting debut alongside Neeru Bajwa in the Panjabi movie Kokka. Her song 'Always You & Me' was featured in Bobby Frictions Top 40 Tracks of 2021.

Deesh is supported by Industry veteran producer Kaos Productions, who has performed and produced for many of the top Panjabi artists over the last decade.

Fae Utero

Fae Utero was born when two friends (Ankit Mahendru & Ken Beal) started jamming to late eighties and early nineties grunge rock and metal music. Their first album “Hill Of Beans” is about accepting one’s flaws, dealing with defeatism, love, loss, abuse, trauma, mental health, and sobriety. An independent artist with lyrics that tap into substantial thought and reflection with a focus on real-life experiences as opposed to supernatural deities and fictional characters. The band name translates to “from the womb”. Fae is a Scottish preposition that means “from.” and utero is a latin term meaning "the womb".

people in shot with green landscape backdrop

Glasgow Sitare

Glasgow Sitare, officially formed in 2019, is a singing group for South Asian women based in Glasgow. In the first year of its formation, Glasgow Sitare performed at Glasgow Mela, Glasgow University and the Hindu Mandir. After taking a break due to the pandemic, the Sitare are back ready to sing and shine!

GTown Desi

Gtown Desi has been created by an enthusiastic team of talented individuals each having raw musical talent and a passion for entertainment, fused with their years of experience in touring the globe to further enhance their skills as musicians, producers and DJs.

Every member of Gtown Desi derives from a differing background musically, which in turn allows them to combine and create new forms of music. With influences ranging from eastern traditional sounds to contemporary western-based urban themes, the overall collection of DJs and Music Producers can simply fuse sounds unlike any other musical unit presently out there.

person crouching down, brick wall backdrop

Gubi Sandhu

Gubi is the Singer-Songwriter behind the RDB produced anthems Sah Rukh Dha, Dil Karda and Sajana. He made his debut when he was 19 years old with the smash hit ‘Sah Rukh Dha’ from the album ‘Danger.’

The year after he was featured on the compilation album Urban Flavas Vol.1 with the anthem ‘Dil Karda’ and he became a household name.

Gubi is without doubt the definitive voice of the UK Asian street culture.

Jaz Dhami

Jaz Dhami is one of the most versatile Punjabi artists in the world. He was the first British Asian artist to break into India's most watched list with his ground-breaking pop anthem "High Heels."

He went on to become the only South Asian to be featured in a mega collaboration by the BBC, featuring Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder and Sam Smith to launch BBC Music.

Kathakali

KATHA means story and KALI means play, therefore, Kathakali is a DRAMA that uses movement to tell a story.

A Kathakali artist is called an ACTOR and a performance a PLAY.

The Kathakali stage is considered to be sacred and a place where the Gods and Goddesses tell their stories.

Naad Hara

Naad-hara sees the coming together of five equally accomplished musicians and singers from India and Scotland. Boldly fusing together their rich traditions of folk music with cultural integrity and an adventurous musical streak, the quintet draws on the depths and individuality of the two cultures and combine them with new compositions and improvisation through song, tunes and soundscape.

Group of people in a park holding instraments

Namhi Taraz

Namhi Taraz is a collective of highly skilled musicianswith aworld of cultural heritage. Gyan Panesar, Anoushka Nanguy, Peru Eizagirre, James Mackay and Ewan Hastie.

They all studied Jazz at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland,where they developed and grew as musicians.

With their roots coming from Scotland, India, Ireland, Basque Country and Ivory Coast,they found that implementing their cultural backgrounds into their own compositions created new sounds and are now taking the opportunity to present their talents to the world.

Pragati Mahendru (compere)

Marking a debut as a Compere, a Software engineer by profession with a passion for dance, endless love for Indian cinema and a knack for Glaswegian slangs! Grateful for being a part of Glasgow Mela performances with Desi bravehearts in the past. India’s 70th year of Independence at the Glasgow royal concert hall has to be one of my most cherished memories.

Rupa Mooker (Compere)

A lawyer by day, Rupa has extensive presenting and hosting experience in radio, events and media work. She hosted Scotland’s first ever dedicated Asian radio show on BBC Radio Scotland, has her own Sunday evening show on Awaz Fm (Scotland’s Asian community radio station) and has appeared as an expert guest & contributor on various radio programmes. She has hosting various large scale fundraising and charity events such as the annual Scottish Asian Business Awards, the Scottish Diversity Awards, Mela at the Green for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow Fanzone and of course, the Glasgow Mela!

Shamshad Waheed Ghani

Suhas Mitra

Suhas was introduced to the world of Indian Classical Music and the Sarod in Holland at a tender age by Shree Kaustav Roy of Shahajehanpur Gharana, a disciple of Pandita Radhika Mohan Maitra and Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta.

Shree Roy identified the talent within Suhas and provided him with a very solid base foundation for sarod playing.

TJ Singh

Top Note

Top Note, a newly formed Desi ensemble, are premiering their first performance at Glasgow Mela 2022.

The band comprises of singer/doctor Lav, singer/ instrumentalist Amit Sumal and pianist/ composer Amit Anand.

Top Note’s music is a melting pot of diverse languages and styles of South Asian culture.

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