A POPULAR Bradford comedian is pleased to reveal that several local businesses will be joining him at the launch of his new book this Friday.

Tehseen Jay – creator of the viral hit The Nana G Show – will be joined by local companies, influencers and Councillor Ibrar Hussain at the launch, which will take place at Rio Grande.

Tehseen, from Heaton, has released Learn Pothwari with The Nana G Show – a book which aims to teach people common words and phrases in Pahari-Pothwari, a language spoken in the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

The Nana G Show, which first went viral during lockdown, features puppets inspired by Tehseen’s own Mirpuri grandparents – as well as others based on younger British-Pakistanis from Bradford – mixing humour with positive messages.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tehseen with his puppetsTehseen with his puppets (Image: Tehseen Jay)

Tehseen, 37, will welcome Regal Foods, Howdy restaurant, La Romantica Beds, Bombay Stores and Mumbai Bites at the launch.

Influencers and social media stars Mr Munchbox, Mr Tee the ice cream man, Muzzy Official and Slickman Rauf are also on board, as are religious figures Imam Asim and Imam Adil Shahzad.

The Nana G Show - buying a new mattress in a Mirpuri house

“It’s a big thing – I started this from my bedroom, now I have these amazing people supporting. It feels like a dream,” said Tehseen, who has worked with big names in British comedy, including Tez Ilyas and Abdullah Afzal.

“Having these people support me and my mission to promote our zabaan [language] is brilliant.

The Nana G Show - Gobi Express - Episode 1

“It shows that we are all backing each other. People in other communities always work together, but it’s rare to find that in ours, especially up north – but this time, we’re going to work together instead of being jealous of each other.

“The T&A support is also massive – it’s amazing to have them on board.”

Most British-Pakistanis in Bradford are originally from the Mirpur district. The first generations arrived in the 1950s and 60s, and many now have great-grandchildren.

Tehseen uses comedy in a bid to help keep their mother tongue alive, to celebrate Mirpuri culture and to show that South Asian people can have a laugh just like anyone else.

“Mirpuri people have had a lot of bad press,” Tehseen said.

“But we’re trying to show our culture in a positive light and bring smiles to people’s faces.

“I’ve organised most of the launch myself, it’s been very difficult – but I believe in my brand and I believe in what I’m doing.”

To see Tehseen’s work, visit @nanagshow on TikTok and Instagram, or search The Nana G Show on YouTube.