VIDEO: Opera with a South Asian twist
WHENEVER the uncultured among us think of opera, the image of oversized tenors with even bigger voices belting out a powerful aria in Italian or French springs to mind.
But keen to educate in all things related to Kashmiri culture and banishing preconceptions of opera as a European pursuit, a different kind of opera landed in town this week,
A far cry from La Boheme or Don Giovanni, Kashmiri opera singers Anjali Kaul, husband Dhananjay and Waheed Jeelani jetted into the UK in time for Sunday’s Luton Mela to perform their own brand of South Asian singing.
The trio perform what is known as a sufi, exploring the idea that religion is a human creation and we all actually follow one god.
Invited by The Luton Bhawan Centre, the trio are no stranger to Luton or indeed performing at the Mela, and look forward to coming back each year.
Anjuli told the Luton News: “The Mela is lovely, we get to see people from all over the world. It’s very enjoyable.”
Dhananjay added: “Everytime we come back we get this nostalgic feeling. The town is very beautiful, I often go for a walk and admire the great architecture, the great people, we love being here.”
As well as performing at the Mela, the trio will also perform at the Akash restaurant in Leighton Buzzard this evening (Wednesday), the Dallow Learning Community Centre on Thursday, before singing in Hitchin and London on Friday and Saturday before appearing at the Mela on Sunday.
The Luton Mela 2011 takes place at Wardown Park on Sunday between 12 noon and 7pm.
> For a video report, log onto www.lutontoday.co.uk.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Luton
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.