Retracing Our Footsteps: Minding our Language by Bhuchar Boulevard

Retracing Our Footsteps: Minding Our Language: From Siraj-ud-Daulllah to Maharaja Ranjit Singh – a window into South Asian language theatre in the UK by Bhuchar Boulevard

Doors: 5.30pm, Start 6pm

English | 75 minutes I 14+

This event will focus on the rise of South Asian language theatre in the UK. It was created by different communities, Bengalis in the East End, Punjabis in West London and the Gujarati communities of Wembley and Leicester. How did these productions sit alongside the English speaking South Asian theatre work being produced? What were the themes? Historical heroes? Contemporary issues like winning the lottery? Falling in love versus arranged marriages? Why was it important for South Asian communities to produce work in the various languages? Was it for pure entertainment, speaking the truth or a nostalgia for home? What does all this work say about being a South Asian in Britain across the decades?

It is presented by Suman Bhuchar, a curator, producer with Bhuchar Boulevard.

Panellists include:

Susan Croft, is a writer, curator, dramaturg, arts/performance archive consultant and historian with special interests in women playwrights, black and Asian theatre in Britain, live art and new writing for performance …as well as alternative theatre generally. She cofounded www.unfinishedhistories.com - an online portal celebrating the alternative theatre histories of 1960s, 70s and 80. Susan is currently working on FYFFI project - Fifty Years for the Fight for Inclusion looking at lesbian and Gay performance in the UK.

Ash Kotak (He/Him), is an award winning playwright, film maker and journalist. He also curates and is a founder of AIDS Memory UK - the Campaign to establish The AIDS Memorial in London. His latest play is Freddiebhai: the story of Farrokh Bulsara. His film, Raj Kapoor in Russia is currently in production.

Rup Khatkar is a versatile artist, known both as a poetess and an actor. She has delivered numerous performances across the UK and was honoured with the Young Punjabi Poetess award by the Leeds Arts Council. Her acting talents have been featured in several films, including "Chal Mera Putt" (Go my Son), and she is also a UK based member of the theatre group, Jan Natya Manch. Furthermore she serves as the president of the Indian Workers Association of Great Britain. Southall Branch.

A member of the Narratives of Time, Exploring Bengali theatre and community progression in East London from 1963-2013. (tbc).

About the company: Bhuchar Boulevard creates heartfelt, memorable theatre for diverse audiences. She holds up a mirror to our common humanity. Bhuchar Boulevard’s projects amplify the voices and stories of South Asian artists. Retracing Our Footsteps is linked with the development of an archive of British South Asian theatre.