Sohan Kailey – Bhangra Made in England
Indian dance artist Sohan Kailey is overjoyed at hearing that he will be performing at various Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year. What's more he has gone out and had his very own custom Bhangra dance costume designed in the Union Jack colours.
The Wolverhampton born dance artist and now living in Solihull and head of Aashiyana Arts says, "I wanted my very own Bhangra costume designed in the flag of Great Britain. My home town of Wolverhampton has given me Bhangra. This is a way of giving back, to the community,celebrating our diversity and getting involved in these events is very exciting and rewarding. This is a first for a Punjabi Bhangra costume to have been designed in this way. Its already turning heads wherever I perform. It reminds me of that dress that Elizabeth Hurely woredesigned by Italian designer Gianni Versace. May be not quite". Laughs Sohan.
Usually the Bhangra costumes come from India, however this time I wanted something that was Madein England. Luckily I found this material at Birmingham Bullring market and snapped it up straight away. The costume was designed by Mrs Shakuntla Pun" Mrs Pun says,"When he brought the material I thought, what is he up to now? I found it very interesting and refreshing to be designing something new. I could see how excited he was."
Father of two, Sohan works as a full time Indian dance artist and provides workshops throughout schools, communitysettings and corporate establishments. Sohan will be performing at various events throughout the West Midlands celebratingJubilee, Easter and Olympics dance events.
Sunday 25th March at The Public, West Bromwich
Sunday 15th April at The Public, West Bromwich
Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th June at Aston Hall for the Young Readers Book Bash 2012
As well as this, Sohan is already providing dance workshops throughoutthe city of Stoke-on-Trent celebrating the Cultural Olympiad inspired by London 2012, the Olympic and Paralympic Games.Its really exciting being involved in these prestigious events.
He has already met Birmingham Olympian Hurdalist Julz Adeniran at one of his Bhangra Tots events for Busy Bees Children's Centre.