Indian dancers have brought a splash of South Asian culture to a busy Metro station.
The vibrant and high-intensity Kathak dance was performed next to Monument Metro station in Newcastle as part of this year’s Masala Festival.
Tyne and Wear Metro is an official partner of Gem Arts’ annual Masala Festival 2023, which is a celebration of South Asian culture in North East England.
The acclaimed Amina Khayyam Dance Company presented a dance called You&Me, created from women’s stories. It confronts the cultural status quo of sexuality.
It was developed via workshops with community groups where women shared real-life experiences of marriages where their partner could not express his sexuality.
The dancers showcased their moves at the Grey Street entrance at Monument station, which is the busiest Metro station on the network.
Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Gem Arts’ annual Masala Festival this year, which underlines our own commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Even though the weather wasn’t on our side, two performances at Monument station went ahead, which were colourful and thought provoking, capturing the attention of our customers and the passing public.”
The Masala Festival programme brings to venues and spaces in the North East the very best regional, national and international artists from across the South Asian diaspora exploring contemporary experiences of migration, identity, existence and place through incredible music, dance, literature, poetry, films, exhibitions, workshops, events for children and families, and delicious Indian street food.
The biggest event managed by Gem Arts is the Masala Festival which runs from 17-23 July 2023 and celebrates South Asian Arts and Culture over the North East with performances, exhibitions, events and workshops.
Vikas Kumar MBE, Gem Arts Director, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Tyne and Wear Metro. To celebrate the partnership it was fantastic to programme You&Me by Amina Khyam Dance Company at Masala Festival, bringing the spectacle and high energy intensity of Kathak with the physicality of contemporary dance, together with live music of sitar, tabla and cello. Despite the rain we connected with so many audiences on the day, and we look forward to further creative collaborations in the coming years.”
Gem Arts, based in Gateshead, also produce and deliver performances and events all year round, reaching thousands of people annually and directly engaging with 8,000 people from South Asian and minority ethnic communities in workshops and education programmes.
South Asian culture is a makeup of a huge range of traditions, customs, and beliefs from the countries of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives. South Asian culture is characterized by its colourful and festivals, food, music, dance, and art. One of the defining features of South Asian culture is the importance placed on family and community.