BOY CHANA

Photographer, writer and DJ Boy Chana is one of British Bhangra's most enduring and entertaining characters; one of the few to take a camera to every pub, club, gig and daytimer. Built up over twenty-five years, his archive of intimate and unpretentious images bears witness to the Bhangra explosion. One of the first to document the stories and personalities behind the new sound, he became closely associated with its rise. Despite his youth, the fifteen year old Boy Chana became a published journalist; in Multi Mag (1987), and a year later in Eastern Eye. Asian communities were served by Community Radio irrelevant to Boy Chana's generation. Young people, as now, were drawn to the world of pirate radio, and he learned his trade as an outlaw DJ for six years. A more established Boy Chana moved to Radio XL and managed students who set up Meri Boli fanzine in 1988, whilst continuing work for Eastern Eye and becoming a frequent correspondent until into the late 1990s. Despite his success, Boy Chana remembers his roots. Born in Uganda, the three-month-old Gursharan Chana came to Lozells, Handsworth in 1972. Soho Road became the centre of family life, although there were hard times. During the Handsworth riots in 1985 Gursharan and his family were at the geographical heart of the uprising. Bizarrely, because they welcomed bewildered journalists and had a phone in the house,their home became a pressroom. The young Gursharan was inspired. Compulsively and a little idealistically, Gursharan began to document the cultural and social changes around him through his own photography and writing. Boy Chana is our Bhangra Champion for the West Midlands and the South West. Boychana Biography Boychana - in his own words Comments (4) jat said:   u d jat in the world hold it jatt kat the datt and peela shrab>>>> May 09, 2007 sonny said:   you this boy is sick - should he not be called man chana Member Bhangra Empire July 14, 2007 bhupinder singh kullar (tubs) said:   i have known "Gursh" for as long as i can remember, mwe were both members of the congregation at the Dasmesh Temple (as it was known to us then) his father inspired me to play tabla, his brothers are keen sports men and electricians..... he is not just a champion himself but comes from a family of champions! September 11, 2007 Brinda Chana (his wife) said:   Chana is definately a peoples person, who is inspired by all the bhangra artists, (singers and dancers) around him, and by writing he feels he is recognising the Punjabi entertaining world. I don't feel Chana will ever stop bigging up all the people he loves working along side. I'm very proud of the work he has done. While there is music and dance there will always be a "BOY Chana". Well done our kid!!!xxxxxxxx November 20, 2007 Write comment Name Comment Add Comment

 

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