Young composers learn to write for tabla with Kuljit Bhamra
One of the most inspiring musicians in the British Indian music scene, Kuljit has composed and produced over 2000 songs and is responsible for the rise to fame of numerous Bhangra and Bollywood stars. A pioneer of the worldwide Bhangra phenomenon, he combined traditional Indian rhythms with western instruments and recording techniques, thus transforming Punjabi music into a new dance-floor sound.
He has worked, both independently and collaboratively, on film scores including the soundtrack for the award winning Bhaji on the Beach, A Winter of Love, Bend it Like Beckham and his passion for making Indian music and instruments more accessible to non-Indians has led him to create a range of educational materials called Demystifying Indian Music.
He was the last Artistic Director of The Society For The Promotion of New Music (SPNM) – the first British Asian and self-taught-musician to hold this post in its 65 year history.
Kuljit is the recipient of many awards including a platinum disc for outstanding record sales presented by the much-loved BBC Radio DJ John Peel. His cutting-edge projects and educational work earned him an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list 2009, ‘For Services to Bhangra & British Asian Music’.
