Bhangra breakthrough

In the 1970s and 80s, with Bhangra tapes available in the high street, Bhangra found its place in the home. Interviewees for this exhibition recall "Dad's Bhangra tapes" next to "Mom's Hindi songs" in the living room. With a new, young, optimistic audience receptive to innovation and experimentation, Bhujangy and Saathies began to further explore the use of western instruments, principally guitars, in their music. Birmingham band DCS successfully fused Bhangra with Rock; the first tape Bhangra Champion Boy Chana owned was “Teri Shaun” by DCS. The willingness to experiment that the musicians showed was backed up by their audience’s confidence as a visible - and audible - community on the streets of Handsworth and elsewhere. Apna Sangeet’s “Soho Road Utey”, Chirag Pehchan’s “Rail Gaddi” were all upbeat, optimistic anthems. Mick St Clair took Bhangra onto the streets, emulating the reggae sound systems. Maverick London producer Deepak Khazanchi mixed Western drums and synthesizers with traditional Punjabi instruments; working with supergroup Alaap and Heera he lit the blue touch paper for modern Bhangra. Alaap’s “Teri Chunni De Sitare” and Heera’s “Diamonds” are two of the bestselling albums of all time. This new, confident, professionally produced Bhangra sound became very popular with the first generation of Asians to be born and educated in the UK, many attending university or college and some living away from home. This was the music they took with them and shared with the people they met - British people,but also Asians from different classes,castes, cultures and faiths. This mixing,particularly of Bhangra with the East London Asian underground, brought forward more cerebral artists like Talvin Singh who would later impact the development of British Asian music. Comments (2) vinny said:   IF IT WASNT FOR BIRMINGHAM......MAINLY HANDSWORTH...... THERE WOULDNT BE NO BHANGRA September 15, 2007 Harry said:   i really wished u included some of the real pioneers of bhangra in the book. The bands that were there before the 80's and the people who really made the FIRST impact of bhangra in UK. And i agree, midlands and mainly birmingham is where it all came from and you fail to include that fact November 04, 2007 Write comment Name Comment Add Comment