By Win Roddy
“Sat shri akal Better Leeds Communities vich tuhada swagat hai.” Hello and welcome to Better Leeds Communities!
The event was one of a programme of events designed to celebrate South Asian heritage, culture and history.
In collaboration with South Asian Art, it was run by the BLC Community Team with the support of the community, co-ordinated and hosted by project manager Mel Thomas.
And what a celebration it was. With a packed diverse family audience, there was standing room only. Mel and colleague Abeer Mukhtar greeted everyone on their arrival.
The programme included a variety of traditional performances.
First to take the stage were Kauser and Qarsar. The duo who have only recently started working together, perform mainly Punjabi and folk songs. They gave a heartfelt performance during which Kauser made reference to ‘the liver’.
She later clarified: “In South Asian culture, romantic love songs often use references to the liver and heart interchangeably – the liver, being a vital organ like the heart, is believed to be of equal importance.”
Next on stage was Jyoti Swami reciting poetry. With a background in story telling and marketing, Jyoti is studying for a Masters in Corporate Communications. She is also a part-time Marketing Co-ordinator.
To her “poetry and storytelling is an art in communication, expression of feelings, for example what people really need to talk or write about – conversations they want to have but never do!”
Then came a melody by Lakshmi, mother and son who gave a faultless performance on the Veena. The Veena is an ancient classical musical stringed instrument originating in Southern India.
The caterers also took a bow. During the break they served up lunch which included yummy South Asian cuisine giving everyone the opportunity to connect, swap stories and eat.
The Sabrang Giddha Group was led by Pinky on behalf of Dr Sawant Rait and Damanjit Kaur (Jita). Pinky said: “This group is about women, empowerment, uniting communities and celebrating different cultures.
“It promotes mental well-being for women of all races and age groups usually by sitting and talking or by singing and dancing their worries away.”
In their colourful sarees they gave a very lively uplifting performance. Watching them twirling and sashaying you couldn’t help but get the impression that had there been more space on that stage, most of the foot tapping audience would have squeezed up there and joined them.
The Sabrang Giddha Group meet every Tuesday 7pm – 8.30pm at All Hallows Church.
Children too were kept entertained with craft activities in their own separate supervised area.
In addition to the performances there was a beautiful display of henna art, pottery crafting and the chance to swap favourite plants and pots.
Organisers Melanie Thomas and Abeer Mukhtar were the last to leave.
Mel told WLD: “One Burley: 170 Voices is BLC’s current community development project. Now in its last year of a five-year programme, we have built something truly special — a model of community development that works because it is led by the community itself.
“We train volunteers, enable digital and social inclusion, and create a culturally safe, welcoming spaces that bring people together across divides. These are not just outputs – they are signs of deep, ongoing transformation.
“From women rediscovering their confidence through peer-led fitness sessions, to families finding warmth and relief at our Teatime Club, to older residents stepping into leadership and young people having fun together—our work changes lives because it is relational, responsive, and rooted in trust.”
- To find out more and get involved, contact 1Burley@betterleeds.org.uk or call 0113 275 4142 and ask to speak to the community team.
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