8:39am Wednesday 17th June 2009
By Emma Clayton
Bradford’s newly-appointed City of Film status is sprinkling a little celluloid stardust in the direction of arts company Kala Sangam.
Thanks to funding from regional film agency Screen Yorkshire, the Bradford-based company – which has been working with the City of Film bidding team – is to show arthouse movies at its city centre venue, alongside live performance and pre-screen talks.
In September it will host a major exhibition of Bollywood film stills, accompanied by displays of music, dance, clothes and jewellery. Veteran Bollywood star Vyjayanthimala Bali is being invited to open it.
Schools from across the region will be invited to visit the exhibition, and the 12-strong Kala Sangam team hopes it will help widen the appeal of its venue, the top floor of St Peter’s House.
Since moving into the former Post Office at Forster Square a year ago, Kala Sangam has transformed the grand Grade II-listed building into a striking arts and community base.
It’s a spacious, attractive venue blending original features of the 1886 structure with contemporary renovations. Light pours through full-length windows into large rooms with white walls and high ceilings. A glass mezzanine looks out on to grounds leading to Bradford Cathedral.
There are performance and rehearsal spaces, workshop and conference rooms, dance and music studios, a gallery and exhibition space and offices.
Founded in 1993, Kala Sangam works regionally, nationally and internationally, delivering a varied arts programme based on South Asian roots. Funded by the Arts Council and Bradford Council, with additional funding for various projects, it stages and tours productions and works on community, education, youth and healthcare projects. As well as being a base for Kala Sangam, the St Peter’s House venue is hired by theatre companies, dance schools and community groups. Events include Bradford Council training sessions, Bollywood dance classes and wedding receptions.
Every Wednesday there are Dance For Fun classes, ranging from English country dancing to salsa, tango and ballroom, and photographer Tony O’Connell’s Acts Of Kindness exhibition, highlighting individuals and organisations doing positive work in Bradford, is currently running in the gallery.
Kala Sangam artistic director Dr Geetha Upadhyaya aims to further broaden the centre’s appeal, attracting a more diverse range of users.
“Our vision is for it to become a beacon regional centre of excellence for arts, culture and heritage,” she adds. “We want to open up the building to people from all backgrounds, of all ages and abilities.
“The basis of our artform is South Asian, but this venue isn’t restricted to South Asian groups. We’re a collaborative arts company and our main criteria is for people to experience arts in various forms – dance, music, theatre, literature, visual arts and crafts.
“This is an accessible city centre venue, between two railway stations, with a free bus stopping directly in front. We want people from Bradford and beyond to feel a sense of ownership here.”
The venue had been empty for several years before Kala Sangam moved in, after extensive renovations. There are plans to install disabled access, enabling the company to develop it as a performance venue.
The company already has a reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative dance and music productions, working in partnership with other venues and artists. Its community programme includes working with local, regional and national artists at events ranging from corporate functions to festivals. At last weekend’s Mela, crowds flocked to Kala Sangam dances in a big top. “Perform-ances include South Asian classical, folk and contemporary dance and music, world music and African, Far Eastern and South American dance, as well as dance choreographed to poetry,” says programme manager Ajit Singh.
“On July 25 and 26 we’re hosting Step Up, a range of performances by various dance groups. We’re working with the City of Film team and the National Media Museum and we’re looking to get involved in this year’s Bite The Mango festival.”
Arranged near the glass mezzanine are sculptures of Bradford figures such as composer Frederick Delius and JB Priestley, sitting at a typewriter. “They were here when we moved in and we like having them around. We’re planning some live performance reflecting their work,” says Ajit. Kala Sangam works with its neighbour, Bradford Cathedral, on arts projects. On Friday, June 26, there’s a joint event celebrating St Peter’s Day, blending poetry and dance.
The company also delivers educational work through schools workshops and residencies, play and learn activities, holiday arts camps and lifelong learning sessions. Its youth arts team works with young people aged 13 to 25, including Bradford Youth Offending Team.
Kala Sukoon – the Arts For Health department – develops inclusive schemes including creativity programmes for people with mental health problems and disabilities, a project working with new mums, and a women’s arts group tackling isolation and low self-esteem.
For more about Kala Sangam ring (01274) 303340, e-mail info@kalasangam.org or visit kalasangam.org
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/