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WHAT is MILUN

Milun = 'a meeting of two musical traditions'...four musicians come together in a joyous, energetic and colourful statement of unity. Through a series of performances, School and Community workshops this project looks at the cultural sensitivities around preserving the traditional arts of the South Asian and Irish Communities living in West Yorkshire. This aims to generate conversation and interest about cultures and traditions evoking an appreciation and value of diversity, ultimately encouraging social cohesion.

Milun celebrates the common themes and unique aspects of both the classical and folk traditions of India and Ireland respectively to create a new music expression that's reflective 21st Century Britain.

WHAT is in it for YOU?

Through this project South Asian Arts-uk is offering everyone the opportunity to explore traditions and culture through music. It is a chance for Children, Young people and communities to enter a dialogue and discover for themselves the things we all have in common, things that make us unique and celebrate these discoveries through music.

Performances: The Milun project has a number of subsidised performance opportunities for within the Yorkshire region. The four artistes' have explored Indian and Irish music to create new music, to be enjoyed by all through a full length concert. Concerts available for a fee of £800. There are a limited number of concerts on offer at a subsidised rate through out the West Yorkshire Region until March 2010.

Workshops : The Milun project has a limited number of subsidised school and community workshops available. 2 artists will spend the day exploring Indian and Irish music with up to 60 participants. The workshops are tailored to the needs of the organisation. They can include a mini performance from 2 of the Milun artists for the whole school, up to 6 workshops and to round off this day of exploration, a sharing session between all the participants. Workshops are available for a fee of £500 (two Artists for a full day). There are a number of workshops on offer at a subsidised rate through out the West Yorkshire Region until Match 2010.

ABOUT the ARTISTS

Surmeet Singh is a talented young Sitarist from a musical family born and brought up in England. He began learning Sitar at the age of six from his father, Ustad Dharambir Singh. Alongside his music, Surmeet has excelled academically and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Nottingham. Currently he is the Finance and Administration Manager at South Asian Arts-uk.

Chris O'Malley learned his music in the vibrant Irish scene in Leeds and on regular trips to his parents' home counties of Mayo and Donegal. Although widely known for his piano playing, Chris is also accomplished on the accordion and guitar. He currently works as Director of the Irish Arts Foundation.

Upneet Singh is a gifted, young Tabla player who began learning at the tender age of 5. He is from a musical family and was born and brought up in England. Alongside his music, Upneet is currently in his second year at Huddersfield University, reading Automotive Engineering.

Sam Proctor is originally from Nottingham but moved to the South East five years ago and has since become an established fixture on the thriving traditional Irish session scene in London. Sam released his debut solo album 'Natural Progression' and received great critical acclaim.

Photographs by Richard Hanson

About their MUSIC

Surmeet Singh, Chris O'Malley , Upneet Singh and Sam Proctor last came together in December 2005 through 'Into the Light' and gave a short performance at the VENUE in Leeds receiving a standing ovation.

SAA-uk is delighted that through the funding secured through West Yorkshire Grants the four musician been able to come together and have a much deeper musical conversation to create music that captures the haunting sound of the Indian Alaap to the pounding energy of Irish reel on the Sitar, Tabla, Bodhrán (a type of Irish drum played with a stick), fiddle and accordion. By combining the notes found in the standard minor scale in Irish Music with well-known ragas in Indian music, they exchange Traditional motifs in a 'question and answer' form. With the personalities of the musicians captured in each note and shared with the listener, the result is new music that touches the heart of people.

About South Asian Arts-uk

Our mission is............

• "to promote engagement with traditional and contemporary South Asian Arts"

We believe............

• the transforming power of the arts enables individuals to transcend boundaries and limitations.
• engagement in the arts empowers children and young people to contribute positively to society
• South Asian culture is integral to the UK's cultural diversity and deserves to be championed.
  

To Book MILUN for Performance or Workshop please contact:
Keranjeet Kaur Virdee
South Asian Arts-uk . 3 St Peters Building . St Peters Square, Leeds LS8 9AH
Tel: 0113 244 5523 or email: info@saa-uk.org.uk
Website: www.saa-uk.org.uk

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