Bradford Arts Centre has unveiled a partnership with international organisation Kala Sangam Global to showcase significant Indian classical performances as centrepieces of its autumn/winter schedule.
The upcoming season features two exceptional world-class South Asian productions heading to the city.
Aradhana Arts presents Sangeet Yatra on Saturday, September 12, starring internationally acclaimed tabla virtuoso Sanju Sahai, while The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company arrives on Thursday, October 8, delivering authentic, visually striking Kathakali dance-theatre directly from Kerala.
Established last year by Bradford Arts Centre founders Dr Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, Kala Sangam Global will jointly stage the two world-class productions at the recently renovated city centre venue.
Kicking off the joint series is Sangeet Yatra (Journey of Music), showcasing some of the finest talents in Indian classical music and dance. The performance promises an immersive and energetic journey that bridges classical tradition with contemporary mastery.
Sangeet Yatra brings together exceptional performers in Indian classical music and dance
Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, co-founder of Kala Sangam Global, explains that from the great Ganges’ banks emanate the resonant rhythms of tabla maestro Sanju Sahai, while Jaymini Sahai’s jingling gungroos and Toufic’s captivating melodies fill the air. She adds that Kala Sangam Global is thrilled to collaborate with Bradford Arts Centre on Sangeet Yatra, showcasing the finest British South Asian arts, an unmissable performance.
As the season progresses, attention turns to the dramatic, centuries-old narrative traditions of Southern India with the Kathakali UK Tour.
The striking make-up and choreography of traditional Kathakali theatre. Pic: Gary Laybourne
The acclaimed Kala Chethena Kathakali Company presents this performance, bringing the intense discipline, remarkable makeup artistry, and powerful mime choreography of traditional Kathakali theatre to Bradford.
Dr Geetha notes that originating from Kerala’s lush, cool landscapes, known as God’s own country, the prestigious Kalamandalam school’s finest Kathakali exponents, including master artist Vijaykumar and his talented wife and makeup specialist Barbara, bring this enchanting yet demanding art form to Bradford. She says hosting Vijaykumar at Bradford Arts Centre in partnership with KSG is a privilege, and that they have worked with Kala Chethena Kathakali for nearly two decades. Audiences are encouraged to experience this remarkable art of mime and expression.
Arts Centre CEO Alex Croft with Dr Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr Geetha Upadhyaya
Situated in the city’s historic St Peter’s House building, Bradford Arts Centre stands as a prominent hub for South Asian dance and contemporary performance, playing a vital role in cultivating new artistic ventures in the area.
Its programming encompasses performance seasons, artist development initiatives, dance classes, educational outreach, and community projects.
The centre offers performance and rehearsal facilities, rentable meeting spaces, and venues for social gatherings, providing subsidised performance and studio space for artists through commercial room hire.
The venue supports numerous artists via its commissioning initiatives: This is Bradford, South Asia Now, and British Diversity. Past collaborators include Jaivant Patel Company and Kirsty Taylor and Company of Others, with 25 new works premiering from artists such as Balbir Singh Dance Company, Asif Khan, Mobius Dance, and Kat Rose Martin.
Through its performance seasons, artist development, dance instruction, school programmes, and community outreach, the centre drives artistic creativity throughout the district.
Originally established as Kala Sangam in 1993 by Dr Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, the organisation joined Arts Council England’s National Portfolio in 2005 and relocated to Bradford’s former General Post Office building at Forster Square in 2008.
Following a substantial multi-million-pound transformation and extensive community consultation, it reopened as Bradford Arts Centre last autumn, now featuring state-of-the-art amenities including a 170-seat theatre, five rehearsal studios, meeting rooms, a conference facility, and office accommodation for creative enterprises.
Serving as a flagship initiative during Bradford’s tenure as UK City of Culture, the capital development project received backing from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport via the Arts Council England-managed Cultural Development Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation, and Bradford Council.
Kala Sangam Global, an international cultural enterprise established by Dr Geetha Upadhyaya OBE and Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, continues the legacy that began in Bradford in 1993. The organisation remains committed to advancing South Asian arts, heritage, and education worldwide.
The name draws from Sanskrit: Kala represents arts and Sangam signifies a confluence. True to its name, Kala Sangam Global functions as a gathering point for world-class artists and varied communities.
Through high-calibre performances, collaborative ventures, and health and wellbeing programmes, the organisation strives to foster intercultural appreciation and ensure South Asian creative traditions motivate generations to come.
For additional details about Bradford Arts Centre’s autumn/winter programme and ticket purchases, visit bdartscentre.co.uk