Bradford Arts Centre Teams Up with Founders for Major Autumn Shows

Bradford Arts Centre has announced an exciting collaboration with its international partners Kala Sangam Global, to present major Indian Classical performances as highlights of its upcoming Autumn/Winter programme.

Formed in 2025 by Bradford Arts Centre founders Dr Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr Geetha Upadhayaya, Kala Sangam Global will co-present two distinct, world-class productions at the newly redeveloped venue: Aradhana Arts’ Sangeet Yatra on Saturday 12 September and The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company on Thursday 8 October.

Opening the collaborative series on Saturday 12 September is Sangeet Yatra (Journey of Music), a production that gathers some of the finest talents in Indian Classical music and dance. The performance promises an immersive and energetic journey that bridges classical tradition with contemporary mastery.

Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, Co-Founder of Kala Sangam Global, said:

“From the banks of the great Ganges flowed the reverberating rhythms of the tabla maestro Sanju Sahai, while Jaymini Sahai’s jingling gungroo and Toufic’s mesmerising melodies fill the air! Kala Sangam Global is delighted to partner with Bradford Arts Centre in presenting ‘Sangeet Yatra’ the best of British South Asian arts – a show not to be missed!”

Later in the season, on Thursday 8 October, the focus shifts to the dramatic, centuries-old storytelling traditions of Southern India with the Kathakali UK Tour. Presented by the renowned Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, this performance brings the intense rigour, striking makeup, and powerful mimetic choreography of traditional Kathakali theatre directly to West Yorkshire.

Dr Geetha Upadhyaya added:

“Steeped in Gods own country from the lush and cool Kerala, the best of the Kalamandalam school of Kathakali brings its artist par excellence Vijaykumar and his wife and superb make-up artist Barbara to present this enchanting, demanding art form to Bradford. It is an honour to host Vijaykumar at Bradford Arts Centre in partnership with KSG. We have worked with Kala Chethena Kathakali for nearly 20 years. Come and immerse yourself in this amazing art of mime and expression!”

Tickets for both performances can be booked at by clicking here.