Dartford South Asian Heritage Month
Cohesion Plus were proud to deliver the Dartford South Asian Heritage Month on Tuesday 22nd July in the Orchard West Theatre working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council and supported by Arts Council England. The event once again showcased South Asian art forms and celebrated local community champions. Around 150 local residents attended the celebrations including civic guests.
Audiences were able to watch a short section ‘Goodnight Maharajah’, a play chronicling the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh – the last King of Punjab and youngest child of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, which was produced by Sunya Theatre Company.
The evening saw the inaugural presentation of the Dev Sharma Community Award. The award was presented to Cllr Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Bina Pandaya Ghimire, President of the Nepalese Community Group and Gurdial Singh Rai, President of Dartford Guru Hargobind Singh Gurdwara. All recipients of the award have worked long and hard in their respective communities and displayed exceptional leadership.
In addition there was a programme of artistic performances by local artists showcasing Khatak and Bharatanatyam dance choreography originating from South India as well as Bhangra which originates from the North of India. The Leader of Dartford Borough Council Cllr Jeremy Kite and the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Peter Whapshot were on hand to present the artists with special participation awards.
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented,
“We are incredibly proud to be marking South Asian Heritage Month once again in Dartford, recognising and celebrating local community leaders and providing a platform for South Asian art forms. With the ever shifting political climate in Britain, it is so imperative that we not buckle to far right sentiments that urge marginalised communities to ‘acclimate’ to British cultures. Events like these prove that we can be proud both of our cultural heritage as well as being British.”