World Stage

Jassi Sidhu

There are many tags for artists, some self-proclaimed, but few would disagree that Jassi Sidhu is the leader of the New Generation of British Bhangra.

The 3rd album from Jassi Sidhu is the pinnacle of UK Bhangra, and Jassi’s musical growth in both production and vocals is evident throughout the album. Working alongside some of the best producers and vocalists today has give Jassi a totally different and refreshing dynamic.

Kicking off the album is a dream duet for all Bhangra fans. Old and new skool join forces in the form of Jassi and the man with the golden voice, Malkit Singh (MBE). Ke Khene is a straight-up dance floor anthem with solid grooves and a catchy hook. Malkit Singh delivers his traditional Desi flows and a vocal lick while Jassi adds his hybrid Brit-Asia vocal flicks. It demonstrates their unique vocal styles and how perfectly they harmonise. Next up, Sohni Lugadhi is a romantic number, guest-produced by Rishi Rich. It’s got trademark Rishi grooves, but retains Jassi’s style and it’ll leave you humming the tune.

The pure Bhangra Desi heads pining for raw Bhangra tunes have to wait ’til the final track, Koka. Jassi, alongside producer Aman Hayer, brings nothing less than hardcore Desi beats, melody and lyrics: Just what Jassi’s fans have always wanted. In the end this third album truly is a musical adventure worth taking. It’s one of the best Bhangra albums of 2008.

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band

Hailing from an ancestral family of musicians from Rajasthan, the original land of Gypsies, Hameed Khan Kawa, a talented musician (tabla) and a renowned artistic director, founder of Musafir as well, is familiar with the fantastic sound of the Indian Brass Band since his birth. As sharing his life between Jaipur and Paris, exposed to different musical styles: Classical Hindustani music, Indian and Western traditional music and jazz, and being a great brass band enthusiastic, Hameed Khan Kawa developed the idea of creating a brass band: the spectacular ‘Jaipur Kawa Brass Band’, with Western instruments: clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, sousaphone, saxophone, bass drum, side drum…..but undoubtedly with Indian soul.

Desi Brave Hearts

The Desi Bravehearts are an exclusive Scottish based dance group who specialise in Bollywood/fusion dancing. They are trained intensively by mumbai based choreographer Pratap Shetty, who is made famous through programmes such as Dancing Queen and Naach Baliye 3 (choreographer for Rakhi Sawant & Abhishek).He has furthermore worked on Bollywood films such as Silsiley, Detective Nani, Dil Hi Dil Mein, Love in Nepal, Bardash and the recent Sanjay Leela Bansali film Saawariya. As for the Bravehearts, they currently consist of 11 women and men of Scottish, Indian, Pakistani, Greek and Chinese backgrounds. With this cultural diversity emerges a wide range of dancing styles among us such as belly, scottish, rnb, hip-hop, greek and indian dance types such as bhangra, bangladeshi and kathak, which only adds to the flava of their fusion dances

Following the continued popularity of the Bravehearts, they return Mela for the third time……Belfast just can’t get enough!!

Foundation for Performing Indian Arts

FIPA was set up in October 2006 as a not for profit organisation to promote the performing arts of the Indian Subcontinent through contemporary productions, heritage, workshops and multimedia projects. FIPA encourages and supports practitioners to draw upon the rich cultures of India to create work in classical, traditional and contemporary sectors. Following the popularity of ‘Natures Icons’ at last year’s Mela, FIPA will present its thrilling new outdoor stilt dance production for festivals. It depicts a spellbinding Indian legend where displaying a battle between Gods Rama and Hanuman launch against Ravana, the ten headed demon, in order to save Sita.

Harare

Harare are one of the few groups to be playing Zimbabwean dance music in Europe.Formed by a musician from the heart of Zimbabwean urban music, Harare combines different styles from Jit Jive to traditional hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (lamellaphone). Harare music is also heavily influenced by Chimurenga, the genre developed by music guru, Thomas Mapfumo.

Founding member Kudaushe Matimba (marimba, keys and vocals) has worked with one of the best groups to come out of Africa, the Bhundu Boys. Bhundu Boys were a groundbreaking force in the World music industry, as they paved the way for more artists to reach commercial success in Europe and the US. Kudaushe has also worked as sideman to many Zimbabwean performers as well as working with some of the most highly rated Zimbabwean musicians

The Power of Women at Mela 2010

The Belfast Mela 2010 artistic programme is proud to support minority ethnic women as artists with unique performances for the following acts:

Eternal Taal

Eternal Taal are professionally trained drummers that have performed at many social, cultural and charity events across the UK and are able to adapt to any environment they perform in.ÊEternal Taal is the first group in the world to be taught by female drummer, Parv and consists of 30 students male and female.DHOL playing is a very male dominated instrument but they provide a unique service of female drummers in traditional Punjabi suits playing exactly the same as the men. Eternal Taal have performed at many high profile events including Glastonbury, London Mela, Birmingham Carnival and the NEC Clothes Show alongside ASIANA.

Ulfah Collective

The ground-breaking Ulfah Collective are the UK’s first all women Muslim vocal group. Ulfah Collective have been dubbed a Muslim ‘Sister Act’ and these extraordinary women have been brought together by their love of music and their Islamic faith. The woman are from different backgrounds and cultures and have different musical tastes, but have united to promote peace and harmony through their devotional songs. Ulfah Collective will perform a piece titled ‘Journey to the Great Mosaic’ which is a collection of stories from the women of the group, and mesmeric Islamic songs (Nasheeds), gospel music, a Japanese peace song and a rap.

A full entertainment programme will be available to download closer to the event.