Set against the impressive backdrop of the legendary Leeds Corn Exchange and created as a pay-what-you-can event, Asian Music Festival invites you to be immersed in the tapestry of diverse musical experiences of South Asia from 11 am on 21st June to the dawn of 22nd June.
Among the exciting line-up of artists is the award-winning rabab player, Qais Essar, renowned for his song ‘The Crown Sleeps’ featured in the Golden Globe-nominated motion picture animation, ‘The Breadwinner.’ Qais will captivate the audience with his compositions that celebrate his Afghani-American heritage, pushing the boundaries of the 2,500-year-old instrument from Afghanistan to new heights.
Joining Qais on stage is the acclaimed santoor player, Kaviraj Singh, known for his role as Caronte in Opera North and SAA-uk’s celebrated co-production ‘Orpheus.’ As a proud Leeds native, Kaviraj brings a fresh perspective to the classical Indian music tradition, showcasing the beauty of his South Asian heritage.
The festival will also feature Anamika Chowdhury, who will blend the soulful melodies of Assamese songs with the rhythmic beats of Jazz. Additionally, Sardar Satwinderpal Singh, a sarangi virtuoso from Scotland, will enchant the audience with his soul-stirring sounds, elevating the musical experience to new heights.
Beyond the stellar musical programme, SAA-uk’s Asian Music Festival incorporates the Leeds 2023 theme of ‘Playing’ by transforming the Corn Exchange into an immersive green space. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore, connect and create, with activities ranging from board games to creative clubs, offering a liberating and exciting experience for all.
Reflecting on the Festival’s creation, Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE, CEO and Artistic Director of South Asian Arts-uk and founder of the Asian Music Festival, shared her inspiration, stating, “The inspiration behind this concept is the artists and musicians themselves. Our Summer Solstice Festival was born out of a need to provide opportunities for late-night and early morning Ragas, and the idea came to me as I remembered the Stonehenge Summer Solstice, which takes place on the shortest night of the year. This immersive experience is beyond words, a night to surrender and just be.”
Presented by South Asian Arts-uk in partnership with LEEDS 2023, the ‘Asian Music Festival – Summer Solstice’ opens on 21st June at 11AM Smell the Coffee – Kamalbir Singh(Violin) and John Ball (Tabla), 12PM Desert Sands– Qais Essar (Rabab), 3PM Teatime Symphony– Lakshay Mohan (Sitar) and Bhavanjot Singh Rehal (Tabla), 5PM Jazz It Out – Anamika Chowdhury & David Evans Jazz band, 7PM Evening Flower – Debasmita Bhattacharya (Sarod) & Shahbaz Hussain (Tabla), 9PM Qawwali Sounds – Shah-e-Mardan, 10:50PM Sunset Raga – Kaviraj Singh (Santoor) & Shahbaz Hussain (Tabla), 12:10AM Midnight Drums – Tabla collective led by Shahbaz Hussain and accompanied by Kirpal Singh Panesar, 1:00AM Beckoning Sunrise – Sardar Satwinder Pal Singh (Sarangi) and Pt. Sanju Sahai (Tabla) and 3AM Good Morning Leeds – Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay (Vocals), Pt. Sanju Sahai (Tabla) and Kirpal Singh Panesar.
For more information and ticket bookings, please visit the South Asian Arts-uk website at https://www.saa-uk.org/concerts/summer-solstice-asian-music-festival/.
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