Apna Sangeet

Last updated

Apna Sangeet
Kulwant Bhamra and Sardara Gill of Apna Sangeet in 2014.jpg
Kulwant Bhamra and Sardara Gill in 2014
Background information
Origin Birmingham, United Kingdom
Genres Bhangra
Years active1983 - current
MembersKulwant Bhamra, Sandara Gill, Gurcharan Mall, Davinderpal Kalsa, Niki Patel, Arjinder Kang
Website https://facebook.com/apna.sangeet.9
VIDEO: Performing their hit song "Apna Sangeet vaje Apna Sangeet" in 1992

Apna Sangeet are a British Asian Bhangra band from Birmingham, England. They are seen as one of the first bands of the UK Bhangra scene [1] along with other bands such as Alaap, Heera, DCS and many more.

The group was formed in 1984 by six Birmingham musicians. Known as pioneers of British Bhangra, with others like Heera Group and Alaap. In contrast to the more western sounds of contemporary groups like DCS, they played a very traditional style of bhangra with a dhol player centre stage. [2] By 1991 they were platinum disc holders, and held the title of UK Asian Pop Award for Best Asian Band. [3]

By 1994, the group had released nine albums and sold more than 2,000,000 records, and were awarded Best Bhangra Band by Movie International Magazine. [4]

The Stage in 1995 described the group as a "superband...who are virtually unknown to non-Asians". [5]

In 2009, the band reunited for one charity show. [6] [7] They also reformed for the 2014 Vaisakhi celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London, together with groups Heera and Premi. [8]

Apna Sangeet released a song in 2021 on the album Hope with Kiss Music.[ citation needed ]

References

  1. Ballantyne, Tony (2006). Between colonialism and diaspora: Sikh cultural formations in an imperial world. Durham, N. C. London: Duke University Press. ISBN   978-0-8223-3824-6.
  2. Dorian, Frederick; Duane, Orla; McConnachie, James (1999). World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East . Rough Guides. ISBN   1858286352.
  3. "Bhangra bonanza" . Sandwell Evening Mail. 4 October 1991. Retrieved 10 November 2019 via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Brum band hits top note" . Sandwell Evening Mail. 22 July 1994. Retrieved 10 November 2019 via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Redefining the borders" . The Stage. 7 September 1995. Retrieved 19 November 2019 via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Bhangra superstars choose Sona Web". www.sonaweb.co.uk (Press release). 23 May 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  7. "APNA SANGEET REUNION DINNER AND DANCE EVENING CHARITY FOR BRIDGE OF LOVE". Punjab2000.com. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  8. "Join the Mayor's Vaisakhi celebrations in Trafalgar Square". London City Hall (Press release). 1 May 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2020.