UK Launch of Kala Sangam Global at Bradford Arts Centre

Celebrating South Asian Arts and Culture in Bradford

On Saturday 21 March, Bradford Arts Centre proudly hosted the official UK launch of Kala Sangam Global, marking a transformative moment for South Asian arts and culture in the North. This landmark event showcased a vibrant array of heritage from across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, featuring world-class performances that highlighted the diverse creative traditions of the regions. As a premier hub for contemporary performance in Bradford, the Centre provided the perfect stage to celebrate this new international partnership.

From left; Bradford Arts Centre CEO, Alex Croft, Kala Sangam Founders Drs Shripati Upadhyaya and Geetha Upadhyaya, Bradford Arts Centre Chair, Deepak Sharma

The launch marks a significant milestone in the enduring legacy of the Centre’s founders, Dr. Geetha Upadhyaya and Dr. Shripati Upadhyaya. By centring the global initiative at the newly redeveloped Bradford Arts Centre, the event reinforced the partnership between the local venue and the international movement. The initiative bridges national South Asian artistry with Bradford’s local heritage, scaling the founders’ original vision for global cultural exchange

Alex Croft, CEO of Bradford Arts Centre said: “The success of this launch marks the beginning of an incredibly exciting chapter in our partnership with Kala Sangam Global. We are thrilled to see the visionary work of Drs Geetha and Shri Upadhyaya unfold here in the UK, ensuring Bradford remains a leading light for South Asian arts by connecting local communities with a truly international stage.”

Dr. Geetha Upadhyaya, Co-Founder of Kala Sangam Global said: “To see Bradford Arts Centre as it is today; a thriving, world-class home for creativity, is the fulfilment of the dream we first began in 1996. I am so happy to have officially launched Kala Sangam Global right here where it all started, ensuring that the spirit of South Asian arts continues to inspire communities in Bradford and across the world.”

The launch event kicked off our Spring/Summer season with a bang, and we can’t wait to welcome our local communities for our upcoming run of events and activities. From South Asian contemporary dance and live comedy to Bollywood dance classes, there truly is something for everyone at Bradford Arts Centre.

View our upcoming events here.