We are pleased to announce a special warm up show for Hashmat Sultana at The Canteen Bristol.

The ‘Sufi Sisters’ will perform at The Canteen Bristol on Thursday 26 July before heading to WOMAD Charlton Park to perform at this year’s festival.

Hashmat Sultana have been winning the hearts of audiences throughout India with their refreshing take on traditional folk and ancient Sufi music, incredible versatility and powerful vocal performances.

THE CANTEEN BRISTOL

The Canteen is a great Bristol venue and supporter of live music with artists performing 7 days a week. Entry is free, but please do give generously to the donation bucket.  Food and drinks will be available to buy (food served until 10pm). Find out more about The Canteen here.

HASHMAT SULTANA UK PERFORMANCES

If you are a fan of traditional folk and Sufi music from the Indian subcontinent we hope to see you at WOMAD Festival or The Canteen Bristol this July.

For more details visit our Hashmat Sultana event page.

Visit Hashmat Sultana’s Official Facebook page and Instagram feed.

Red Baraat, “New York music scene’s best kept secret” (National Geographic) brought their high octane, gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra to the UK.

We were delighted to present Red Baraat at Rich Mix, London & The Louisiana in Bristol in May. Both shows were spectacular!

As predicted, Red Baraat got everyone dancing…

Have a listen to some of our favourite Red Baraat Tracks

Responses on social media:

Check out the event page

Find out more about Red Baraat

Your summer needs these sounds!

Red Baraat are a band with pure charisma and dance-prowess. As we look forward to summer times, we put together a playlist of some of our Red Baraat top tracks…

The Legendary, Classic Holi Track… 

Their quick gig at Forbes News Room…

Shruggy Ji…

NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

The FIRST BHANGRA PARTY EVER at the Lincoln Center!…

Charismatic or what?

Last year we supported urban Bhangra DJ, Indian Man, to attend Womex 2017 (World Music Expo), the largest annual conference for world music professionals. The conference is an exciting event. Artists are given the opportunity to network and establish new international projects.

Aashi (Asian Arts Agency) caught up with Indian Man. The DJ speaks on his Womex experience and the projects he was offered.  

What was your experience at Womex like?

My experience at Womex was amazing. Really fruitful! Really surprising in a way actually, because you get to see the pure love for music and art but also how the business works. That’s quite surprising for someone who lives and breathes the musical world because you really learn what it’s about in terms of industry and production and how to get your stuff heard. Overall my experience at Womex was so fruitful. I found people were open and up for hearing everything. So what I brought to the table with Bhangra, garage and all these modern fusions of world music – people were really keen to hear it and supportive. They gave me feedback and advice, as well as gigs. I got a lot of gigs from it, which is great.

Did you get involved in any new projects by attending Womex?

By going to Womex I was given a resident DJ slot at Womad Chile, which is a huge, huge world music festival – a massive, massive gig for me. I was playing a club in Barcelona, I was offered a show in Poland and Amsterdam, a show in Italy as well, which is all about world music and collaborating Indian music with new genres which is really, really my field of what I want to do.

Did you have any special Womex moments? 

I met a woman called Leyla McCalla. Although I love DJ’ing and doing Indian music, I also play Jazz for a living and have a huge passion for Trap Jazz. I met her in Poland and then I went to New Orleans to study Jazz and bumped into her again! I saw her play.

Has Womex been helpful to you?

It’s been hugely, hugely helpful. Particularly Jaswinder and the Asian Arts Agency, they have really supported me in this. Now, this year I have played Womad Chile, I’m going to play Womad UK, I’m playing shows in the Netherlands… I’m playing a festival every weekend for three months. And part of that is down to Womex and the help of the Agency. I’m really grateful.

Read about Indian Man on DJ’ing & Dreams! 

Find out more about Indian Man

One of the finest slide guitarists in the world, Debashish Bhattacharya, performed at St George’s, Bristol on 26 March 2018.

A REMARKABLE EVENING OF OUTSTANDING TALENT

Tabla player Sanju Sahai provided accompaniment. Being one of the finest tabla players of his generation, Sanju Sahai together with the maestro Debashish Bhattacharya, made the evening a unique experience.

One of the incredible moments the musicians @Debashishguitar & @sanjusahai gifted us at last night’s concert @stgeorgesbris #Wow #indianclassical #tabla #slideguitar #bristol #livemusic #MusicVideos #music pic.twitter.com/ndAnqppn0D

— Asian Arts Agency (@AsianArtsAgency) March 27, 2018

STANDING OVATION

The audience were thrilled and captivated by Debashish’s performance. A standing ovation and stamping of feet at the end of the concert signified the delight.

Debashish Bhattacharya’s concert touched heart strings…

https://twitter.com/markjklawrence/status/978376221699559425

Thank you @markjklawrence for your words and @AsianArtsAgency for bringing this music to Bristol https://t.co/5NDfZywMYO

— St George's Bristol (@stgeorgesbris) March 27, 2018

Visit the event page here 

PHOTOS

Check out photos from the concert

The Bollywood and Sufi singing star Harshdeep Kaur performed her debut solo UK concerts in March 2018, managed and produced by Asian Arts Agency.

The performances took place at London’s Barbican and Birmingham Town Hall.

BBC Radio 4 and more!

Harshdeep was interviewed by Samira Ahmed for BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, BBC Asian Network’s Raj & Pablo, Sikh Channel and Brit Asia prior to the concerts (+ many more).

Listen to Harshdeep Kaur on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row 

.@HarshdeepKaur and presenter @SamiraAhmedUK in the @BBCRadio4 #FrontRow studio earlier. Missed it? Listen again here: https://t.co/CWYP1HaazE #Bollywood #Sufi @BarbicanCentre @THSHBirmingham pic.twitter.com/JxEX7qUnxd

— Asian Arts Agency (@AsianArtsAgency) March 26, 2018

Standing Ovation

The Barbican audience gave Harshdeep Kaur a standing ovation.

When the audience loves you like THIS! And gives you a standing ovation 🙏🏼
Have no words ro describe this feeling! Thank you London!
Performing in Birmingham Town Hall tonight at 7pm. #HarshdeepKaurLive@AsianArtsAgency @BritAsiaTV @Punjab2000music pic.twitter.com/7HsRZTVA8J

— Harshdeep Kaur (@HarshdeepKaur) March 28, 2018

The audience loved Harshdeep Kaur…

Eastern Eye editor, Asjad Nazir:

Thanks @HarshdeepKaur for blessing London with your heavenly voice & angelic performance. Your versatility is just incredible. (And your musicians were just wonderful) #HarshdeepKaur

— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) March 27, 2018

Wasn't she just. I am of Indian heritage but speak non of the Indian languages, shows that music is international. I understand why she is called 'Queen of Sufi'.

— Zena Gani (@ZenaGani) March 28, 2018

@HarshdeepKaur Wow you were brilliant in Birmingham too!! I broke the rule of dancing in the middle of the hall too. Your prayers was heart touching😍 too #asianartsagency #harshdeepkaur #thsh #pleasecomeagain pic.twitter.com/9Xh2tckbOO

— Farina (@fino4tu) March 28, 2018

It really was a special couple of concerts in London and Birmingham.

Visit the events page for more details.

PHOTOS

Check out the photographs from the tour

Sanju Sahai will accompany Hindustani slide guitar maestro Debashish Bhattacharya, on Monday 26 March.

Born into a traditional  lineage of tabla players, Sanju Sahai’s ancestors are prolific tabla players. The torchbearer of the 200 year old Benares tradition is one of the finest and most sought after tabla players of his generation. We explore some interesting facts and get to know the artist and gharana better.

1. The founder of the Benares lineage was Pandit Ram Sahai Ji (1780-1826). It is said that he played for seven consecutive days for nawab Wazir Ali Khan.

2. The Benares gharana was founded when Pandit Ram Sahai Ji decided to go into seclusion for 6 months.

3. Pundit Durga Sahai Ji was a favourite accompanist of Ustad Inayat Khan, one of the most influential sitar and surbahar players of India.

4. Pandit Sharda Sahai Ji, Sanju Sahai’s father, is regarded as one of the ambassadors for spreading awareness on the tabla both in the East and West.

5. Sanju Sahai started off as a child prodigy. he gave his first performance at the age of 9 at a prominent Benares festival.

6. At 13 he gained his Bachelor of Music and at 19, Master of Music.

7. Sanju Sahai has accompanied prolific artists including: Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia (bansuri), Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Bhajan Sapori (santoor), Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb, Ustaad Imrat Khan Saheb, Ustaad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty -this is just naming a few!

8. Sanju collaborates with various international artists from around the globe, including: Manuela Carrasco (Flamenco dance), Michael Nyman (British composer), Patricia Rozario (opera), BBC Philharmonic, Naresh Sohal (composer), Pete Lockett (multi percussionist), Yair Dalal (oud), Jason Carter (guitarist), Matthew Barley and Anup Biswas (cellists), Don Li (clarinet), Harp Quartet, Dominique Vellard (Gregorian chant), Gilles Petit (composer and instrumentalist) and the acclaimed dancer Akram Khan.

Get tickets! Sanju Sahai to accompany Debashish Bhattacharaya in Bristol!

Debashish Bhattacharya is a prodigy who has helped Indian classical music evolve. Born into a family of musicians, Debashish was given fertile soil to explore his question of why he could not play traditional ragas on the guitar… He found a way.

Debashish Bhattacharya will perform an exclusive live show in Bristol on 26th March 2018. For more information and tickets, visit our concert page – click here.

Debashish Bhattacharya – Top 10 Facts

1. Debashish was only three years old when he began strumming on a Hawaiian lap steel guitar. The guitar had been a gift to his father, a traditional Indian vocalist.

2. At four years old, Debashish Bhattacharya performed on All India Radio, Kolkata.

3. Debashish invented the Trinity of Guitars. These consist of the Chaturangi, Gandharvi and Anandi. The guitars are played whilst sitting crosslegged. The guitar is held on the lap and played with a small steel bar, metal picks and a celluloid thumb pick.

4. Some of the world renowned musicians Debashish has played with are Ustad Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, Jerry Douglas and Derek Trucks.

5. Debashish Bhattacharya was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award in category of Best Traditional World Music Album for his album Calcutta Chronicles.

6. Debashish performed for the legendary Ravi Shankar in India.

THE INFLUENCE OF TAU MOE

7. Papa Tau Moe introduced the Hawaiian lap steel guitar to India in the late 1920’s. The Tau Moe Hawaiian band EMMI lived in Kolkatta from 1941 – 1947 and they made many records with HMV and EMI.

8. Debashish Bhattacharya’s music holds strong bonds with Papa Tau Moe. Garney Nyss, Tau Moe’s top student in India, was great friends and musical sparring partner with Debashish’s childhood guitar teacher Rajat Nandi.

9. Debashish Bhattacharya received Tau Moe’s blessing in 2004 when he visited Hawaii. In Debashish Bhattacharya’s own words:

“Papa Tau was in his nineties. Even after being away from India for almost sixty years, spoke beautiful Bengali … He shared with us many stories of his amazing life and gave me his blessing. As long as I live that meeting will remain one of the highlights of my life.”

 10. Debashish paid tribute to Tau Moe through the album “Hawaii to Calcutta” in 2017.

Don’t miss the this incredible performer when he performs an exclusive concert in Bristol this month at St George’s Bristol. Visit our concert page for more information and tickets.

We are excited to announce two UK concert dates with Brooklyn’s finest dhol ‘n’ brass band Red Baraat, produced by Asian Arts Agency.

Red Baraat bring their seriously hot, larger-than-life live show to the UK in May for the first time since their electric WOMAD Festival appearance in 2015 and 2012’s debut UK tour (produced by Asian Arts Agency).

Concert dates:
Monday 7 May – Rich Mix, London
Tuesday 8 May – The Louisiana, Bristol (Colston Hall presents show)

Visit our Red Baraat concerts page for ticket info.

Rightly described as “the best party band in years” by NPR Radio in the U.S, Red Baraat have developed a reputation for whipping any crowd into a joyous frenzy. They bring an unprecedented, high energy, gut-busting fusion of jazz, hip-hop beats, rock muscle, funky go-go, and scalding hot bhangra.

Led by charismatic dhol drummer Sunny Jain, the group consists of drums, percussion, sousaphone, horn section and guitar. The group’s second studio album in 2013, Shruggy Ji, debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music charts and propelled the band on a nonstop three-year world tour.

The group’s most recent release ‘Bhangra Pirates’, in March 2017, features a key element that the first two album releases did not: guitarist Jonathan Goldberger, whose surreal textures and percussive playing is the ideal complement to Jain’s thunderous dhol.

Fusing the infectious North Indian rhythms of bhangra with funk, Latin and jazz, Red Baraat have created and defined a sound that’s entirely their own. Big, brassy and full of energy, Red Baraat always bring the party to town.

Presented by Asian Arts Agency with Rich Mix London and Colston Hall Bristol.

We at Asian Arts Agency are celebrating Harshdeep Kaur’s girl power! The Queen of Bollywood and Sufi has certainly made a name with her talented vocals. However, there is a lot more to this superwoman. Read on to find out!

DID YOU KNOW…

Harshdeep Kaur is the first female to win TWO Indian reality show titles!

A R Rahman, Pritam and Shankar Ehsaan-Loy are a few of the leading musical directors Harshdeep Kaur has worked with.

Harshdeep Kaur is one of the few Indian singers to have sung for Hollywood. Her track R.I.P was part of Danny Boyle’s film, 127 Hours.

Some of her superhit songs include Heer from Jab Thak Hai Jaan, Ik Onkar from Rang De Basanti and Nachde Ne Saare from Baar Baar Dehko.

As well as her impressive success in the Bollywood industry, Harshdeep Kaur has supported important causes…

EDUCATE THE GIRL CHILD!

Education for girls is a challenge in India. According to some, educating boys takes priority. This attitude is opposed by many, including Harshdeep Kaur. To show her support, Harshdeep Kaur participated in an anthem focused on educating the girl child.

 #EducateTheGirlChild

PAD POWER!

Harshdeep Kaur took part in the Padman initiative to spread awareness on menstrual hygiene and help combat the shame – in Harshdeep’s own words:

“Menstrual hygiene is a basic need for every girl. That’s a Pad & there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

CLEANER AIR!

A war cry against air pollution, Hawa Badlo encourages every individual to take responsibility to change the air around them and make the environment cleaner and safer. Harshdeep Kaur sings with Indian singer Javed Ali to help this mission come true.

 SUPPORTING CANCER PATIENTS

Harshdeep looked stunning in a sari as she sang Nachde Ne Saare at the #CareWithStyle event to support Cancer patients.

HARSHDEEP KAUR’S RESPECT & GRATITUDE

In this Instagram post, Karshdeep Kaur expressed her gratitude towards her Guruji Shri Tejpal Singh Ji…

 

Happy International Women’s Day! #IWD2018

See Harshdeep Kaur perform live in London and Birmingham this March!