Jay Visvadeva celebrates cultural harmony through music
His SAMA arts organisation continues to produce exciting concerts, including the South Asian Sounds festival at Southbank Centre in London from next Thursday (7) to next Sunday (10)
By Asjad NazirMar 02, 2024
LEGENDARY concert organiser Jay Visvadeva has been delighting live music fans across generations in the UK since the 1970s, bringing together the biggest artists.
His SAMA arts organisation continues to produce exciting concerts, including the South Asian Sounds festival at Southbank Centre in London from next Thursday (7) to next Sunday (10).
The culturally rich concerts – featuring acclaimed acts such as the Afghan Youth Orchestra, Malini Awasthi, Anwar Khan Manganiar, Khiyo, Ustad Nishat Khan and Ustad Irshad Khan – promise to delight audiences. The festival also has a whole host of shows produced by other promoters.
Eastern Eye caught up with the music expert to learn more.
You have been organising world-class concerts since the 1970s. What keeps you so motivated?
My work is simply a labour of love and, as such, it keeps me going. This work embodies the philosophy of “the aim of one to work,” which has been instilled in me since my teenage years. I see myself as a catalyst in the changing landscape of UK arts.
What inspired the South Asian Sounds festival?
The idea for South Asian Sounds originated at the Southbank Centre. There had been a significant void in south Asian artistic culture for several years and I commend them for organising it.
What can we expect to experience?
The festival is just a beginning of something special at the Southbank. There is something for everyone in terms of musical taste, including classical, folk, orchestral works, contemporary Bollywood and more.
Nishat Khan
How important was it for you to put together a diverse line-up?
When the Southbank invited me to curate some of the shows, they had conceived an idea of holding events in all three concert halls and the spaces around it.
I was happy to suggest shows that offered something for everyone. The centre also has other promoters and producers, which broadens the canvas of artistic events for the audience.
Tell us about the Afghan Youth Orchestra you have invited?
The Taliban regime has destroyed Afghanistan’s musical heritage and instruments, leaving musicians without a platform and fearing for their lives. I felt the orchestra would break the silence in the music world for the people of Afghanistan and give support and shelter to the artistic community and their traditions.
Why is the Afghan Youth Orchestra so special?
The young orchestra, comprising musicians aged 15 to 21, aims to heal wounds and build strong bonds within and outside the Afghan society through music. When young talent plays in a musical ensemble they collaborate, listen, share and contribute. Their ensemble is a microcosm of the future and we hope this concert series will conribute to achieving this vision.
Tell us about the other artists you have invited for the festival?
From India, we have outstanding representations in the folk traditions led by Malini Awasthi and Anwar Khan Manganiar. From Pakistan, we have a young group of qawwals, who are gaining momentum. From Bangladesh and the UK, we have Khiyo, a wonderful band known for their soulful music. However, the finale has been reserved for world class musicians, Ustad Nishat Khan and Ustad Irshad Khan, who will perform a rare duet.
Who are you hoping will attend the concerts?
The audience will be diverse, encompassing people of all backgrounds. It caters to all ages, both young and old.
The Nishat Khan and Irshad Khan show looks special. Tell us about it.
For the first time in the UK, these two outstanding musicians will perform a duet on sitar and surbahar. A great trend set by their great uncle and father, Ustad Vilayat Khan and Ustad Imrat Khan, respectively. It will definitely be a historic day for music.
Malini Awasthi and Anwar Khan Manganiar are performing together. How do you rate them?
Both Malini Awasthi and Anwar Khan Manganiar are award-winning Indian folk artists. They have contributed much to the oral traditions within their respective art realms. In my opinion, they stand as the finest exponents of folk culture.
Why should we all attend the South Asian Sounds festival?
Attending live music events and supporting the arts is of paramount importance in our society, especially given the loss of a significant audience during the post-pandemic period. Rebuilding this audience will undoubtedly take time, but it is crucial for the vitality of the arts. I firmly believe that everyone who is able to attend the festival will be treated to an enriching experience.
The South Asian Sounds festival runs from next Thursday (7) to next Sunday (10) at the Southbank Centre in London. Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk and www.sama.co.uk
Vyjayanthi Movies announced Deepika will not return for the Kalki sequel.
The official statement hinted at a lack of partnership and commitment.
Reports claim a 25 per cent fee hike and strict seven hour workday were key reasons.
This follows her earlier exit from Prabhas's film Spirit.
Deepika Padukone has been officially dropped from the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster Kalki 2898 AD. Production house Vyjayanthi Movies released a statement confirming the departure, which pointedly mentioned the project requires total commitment. This move comes months after the actor exited another major Prabhas led venture, Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, sparking debates about working protocols in the industry.
Deepika Padukone leaves the highly anticipated Kalki 2898 AD sequel amid reports of contract disputes Instagram/kalki2898ad/Getty Images
What happened with Deepika Padukone and the Kalki sequel?
Let's be direct. The producers, Vyjayanthi Movies, put out a tweet. It was formal but had a real edge to it. They said they had “parted ways” with Deepika after being “unable to find a partnership.” Then the kicker: “a film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more.” That is not your standard, polite “scheduling conflicts” excuse. It is a bold, almost salty way to announce a lead actor’s exit, especially one whose character was so central to the first film's plot.
— (@)
Why was Deepika Padukone removed from Kalki 2?
So the official line is about commitment. But what does that actually mean? According to reports from outlets like Bollywood Hungama, it boils down to two concrete demands. First, a 25 per cent fee increase from what she was paid for the first instalment. Second, and perhaps more critically, she insisted on a seven hour workday.
For a VFX heavy epic like Kalki, that is a massive ask. Long hours are often the norm to manage complex schedules and expensive set rentals. The reports also mention she allegedly demanded five star accommodation for her 25 person entourage. The producers apparently tried to negotiate, even offering a luxury vanity in exchange for longer hours, but found her team unwilling to budge. Prabhas, notably, did not ask for a raise.
How did fans react to the Kalki 2898 AD sequel news?
Chaos, basically. Social media exploded. Many fans are devastated, arguing that Deepika was Kalki’s emotional core and that her performance as Sumathi is irreplaceable. “I can't imagine any other actress,” wrote one fan. Others are furious at the producers’ tone, calling the announcement “unprofessional” and “needlessly abrasive.”
But it is not unanimous. Some commentators support the producers, suggesting large scale filmmaking requires flexibility and questioning the feasibility of such strict demands. And of course, others just started fan casting replacements. The whole thing has become a major flashpoint.
What does this mean for Deepika Padukone's upcoming projects?
You have to look at the pattern, right? First, she walked away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit earlier this year, a move that led to a very public, thinly veiled criticism from the director about “dirty PR games.” Now this. It signals a major shift in how she is choosing to work post motherhood.
She is prioritising control over her time, which is her absolute right, but it clearly clashes with the traditional demands of Indian mega productions. She is still attached to the huge Atlee Allu Arjun project, so it is not like her career is slowing down. But it is definitely taking a different, more selective path. She is rewriting the rules, and the industry is watching to see how it plays out.
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The man is suspected of using online platforms to advertise illegal boat crossings
AN ASIAN man has been arrested in Birmingham as part of an investigation into the use of social media to promote people smuggling, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Monday (15).
The 38-year-old British Pakistani man was detained during an NCA operation in the Yardley area. He is suspected of using online platforms to advertise illegal boat crossings between North Africa and Europe.
“The dual national was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and is now being questioned by NCA investigators. Digital devices were also seized and are being examined,” a statement said.
The agency released footage of the arrest, showing officers informing the man he was being detained in connection with the facilitation of illegal migration into the European Union during 2023 and 2024.
“Tackling organised immigration crime is a top priority for the NCA, and this is one of around 100 live investigations into individuals or networks suspected of such activity,” said senior investigating officer Nick Matthews. “We are targeting criminal networks in every way we can, including their social media activity and those promoting dangerous crossings online. Our enquiries are ongoing.”
The arrest comes amid wider government efforts to curb illegal migration. Ministers said record numbers of employers have recently been banned from sponsoring overseas workers after they were found misusing visas to bypass immigration rules.
“Those who abuse our system will face the strongest consequences,” said minister Mike Tapp. “We will not hesitate to act against companies exploiting vulnerable staff or undercutting British workers. These practices will not be tolerated.”
According to the Home Office, deportations of people with no legal right to remain in the UK have risen by 13 per cent over the past year, with 35,000 removals recorded. The department said enforcement action against criminal gangs is now at “the highest level on record.
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The young tapasvis seated during the community celebration
THE Jain community in London came together for a historic celebration, honouring five teenagers who successfully completed the eight-day Athai Tap fast, one of the most respected spiritual practices in Jainism.
The children – Moksh Shah, Labdhi Mehta, Mithil Shah, Svara Gandhi, and Dylan Shah – each from different families, were recognised for their discipline, devotion, and inner strength. Athai Tap involves abstaining from food for eight continuous days, a test of both body and spirit, undertaken as a way of seeking spiritual progress and self-control, according to a statement.
More than 300 members of the community gathered at the Potters Bar Derasar to mark the milestone earlier this month. The event began with the teenagers arriving in a limousine before walking down a red carpet, where they were greeted with cheers, blessings, and warm embraces.
The programme reflected the joy and unity of the occasion. Mothers of the tapasvis performed a graceful welcome dance, siblings gave heartfelt and creative introductions, while fathers joined together in a lively stage act. Devotional Jain songs were played, before the celebration concluded with a spirited Raas Garba dance that saw people of all ages joining in with colour and energy.
For many in attendance, the event was more than a celebration of fasting. It was a reminder of the strength of faith, the value of cultural roots, and the inspiration that young people can provide when they commit to tradition and spirituality, the statement added.
Attendees described the event as a proud moment for London’s Jain community.
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Enninful also gave his view on a recent American Eagle campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney
Former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful says “anti-woke” rhetoric is influencing fashion.
He warns the industry is reverting to European and super-thin beauty standards.
Enninful has launched a new inclusive media venture, EE72, with Julia Roberts on its debut cover.
He dismisses rumours of a fallout with Anna Wintour, saying she supported his departure from Vogue.
He also commented on recent advertising controversies, including Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign.
Fashion industry ‘in flux’
Edward Enninful, the former editor-in-chief of British Vogue, has warned that fashion risks going backwards on diversity, with super-thin and European looks once again dominating as the beauty norm.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Radical with Amol Rajan during London Fashion Week, he said that “anti-woke” and anti-diversity sentiment was “having a moment.”
“I think we’re potentially going back to an industry that’s just sort of, ‘one type is the norm, being European is the norm, being super-thin is the norm’,” he said.
Launch of EE72
Enninful, who left British Vogue in 2023, has launched a new media platform called EE72, describing it as “inclusive.” Its first quarterly print edition highlights the beauty of women over 50 and features Julia Roberts, 57, on the cover.
The title takes its name from Enninful’s year of birth, 1972. He said he felt it was “the perfect time” to return to the industry, which he described as “in flux” and still facing “a lot of work to be done.”
Champion of diversity
Born in Ghana, Enninful came to London as an asylum seeker. He became fashion director of i-D magazine at 18 before being appointed as the first Black editor-in-chief of British Vogue. He used the role to champion broader representation, saying he wanted to reflect “the world we live in today.”
Asked if he believed an “anti-woke moment” was taking place, he agreed, saying: “Woke is a dirty word. We see what’s happening in the world politically. So anything that’s not deemed as normal or the norm is seen as wrong.”
Departure from Vogue
Enninful also addressed speculation about his relationship with Dame Anna Wintour, who is stepping down as editor-in-chief of American Vogue after 37 years.
He dismissed claims of a falling out, explaining: “When I took the job, I gave myself five years and I did six. Anna asked me to give them a year’s notice so they could find my replacement, who turned out to be Chioma Nnadi. So it was my decision to leave.”
He said Wintour had been “very supportive,” adding: “Anna and I, we text each other all the time. You’re going to see us together.”
Advertising controversy
Enninful also gave his view on a recent American Eagle campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, where the strapline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” drew criticism.
Some suggested the wordplay implied a racially exclusive beauty standard, while others said the outrage was exaggerated. Enninful commented: “I thought people really read into it probably deeper than I would have… But then on the other hand, I guess if you have a blonde woman sitting there talking about her jeans, it will trigger some people.”
He concluded that the reaction reflected how “the population is quite divided.”
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)
INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.
The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. While the value was not disclosed, the board said it is higher than the previous deal.
"The new partnership, secured after a rigorous bidding process, represents a substantial increase in sponsorship value, signifying the immense and growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket," the BCCI said in a statement.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, "We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport's unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it's a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions."
Apollo Tyres Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar said, "Cricket's unmatched popularity in India and worldwide makes it an honour for us to become the national team lead sponsor of Team India."
The Apollo Tyres logo will appear on the jerseys of the Indian men's and women's teams across all formats.
Last month, the Indian parliament passed a law banning online gambling. The government said gambling platforms had caused financial distress, addiction and even suicide, and were linked to fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing. Fantasy sports apps such as Dream11 continue to operate, though for prizes and not cash.