Bristol

Bristol's attraction for revolutionary minds - such as engineer Isambard Brunel, theologian John Welsey and abolitionist Thomas Clarkson – has gone on to shape the character of the nation. For hundreds of years trade, talk and tobacco came on up from the South West. From the 1960s, Indian workers - many from the Punjab - came to the fill wearying, unskilled jobs left behind by locals gone into aerospace. Some kept moving on up the Avon and out to Gloucestershire and Wales; as a result those remaining in Bristol retained a close, family feel. Locally, Punjabis  worked hard at their jobs and equally hard at building a community. Bhangra brought them together regardless of age or musical ability. The first Bristol Bhangra outfit, Dil Khush -“Happy Hearts”- was a group of family and friends - Jarnel Singh, Hardev Singh, Tejpal Singh, Swinderpal Singh, Navtej Singh, Amerjit Singh, Dildar Singh and Pyara Singh They came together in 1979, inspired by the Punjabi folk artist Rumta who visited Bristol on a brief tour of the U.K. Rumta played in local pubs packed out with nostalgic Punjabis. Dil Khush Group covered the spectrum of Punjabi music as well as Hindi songs from popular films of the day; Sholay and Bobby. They learned their repertoire from tapes and LP’s bought over in their suitcases, and from listening to Long Wave radio broadcasts. Songs included Mah Piah de Puttar (AS Kang), Teri Chuni de Sitare (Alaap), Boliyan, Giddhe Vich (traditional) and Mehbooba (Sholay)  Growing in confidence and expertise they introduced dholki, dhol, tumbi, vaja and banjo into their act, and performed traditional Bhangra dances between songs. Later, as members went on to other interests, it was Dildar who in 1990 would start what was to be the most influential group to come from the South West, RSVP. Dildar envisioned a band flexible enough to feature both Eastern and Western musicians and influences. RSVP's line up would include Chris Horn (engineer, keyboards and guitar) and Reg Shaw (guitar) as well as Dildar's younger brother Judge (bass guitar) and cousin Rajoo (dholak). Their first gig was at the Easton Community Centre, in 1990. By 2005 RSVP were playing at Glastonbury and Womad, with an enhanced line up of violin, flute and accordion, and Jeevan, (also with international Bhangra singer Harbhajan Talwar) RSVP continue to innovate and collaborate, working with other bands and sounds. Their adventurous approach reflects Bristol's reputation over the past twenty years as one of the UK's most innovative centres of Urban music and culture. Our Bhangra Champion for Bristol is Tajinder Dhami, and for the South West and West Midlands, Boy Chana Comments (0) Write comment Name Comment Add Comment

 

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