DESIblitz

DESIblitz discusses NHS Talking Therapies with NHS Therapist Emran Hussain to find out how this valuable NHS service can help UK based South Asian communities and their mental health.

The multi-talented Aditya Narayan is a notable singer in Bollywood, along with a successful TV host, presenting musical shows. Aditya was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India on August 6, 1987. This makes him a Leo in terms of the star sign. He grew up in a musical family, with his both parents, Udit Narayan Jha and Deepa Narayan Jha also being singers. His grandparents, Hari Krishna Jha and his grandmother Bhuvaneshwari Jha were also musically minded. He got his first big break in Bollywood, singing ‘Rangeeela Re’ with Asha Bhonsle from Rangeela (1995).

Siddhant Kumar AKA Sid K was born in New Delhi, India and has many talents including singing, songwriting, and composing music. He first started singing at the young age of 10 in school where he entered competitions for solo singing and won several awards and prizes. Over the years, he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry like Daler Mehandi, Guru Randhawa, Imran Khan, Zack Knight, and Sonu Nigam plus many more.

We explore and talk about the struggles of being Gay and Asian. Being gay and Asian or LGBTQIA+ and coming out can have severe consequences even in this day and age. We discuss how you can teach parents not to let homophobia get in the way of loving your child for the person they were born to be, and how to be proud of your identity whatever you choose it to be and much more!

Dev Patel and Anupam Kher star in the harrowing trailer for Hotel Mumbai (2019). The upcoming thriller is a dramatisation of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Iranian actress, Nazanin Boniadi, known for her work on television shows like Homeland (2013), Scandal (2014) and Counterpart, (2017-present) plays Armie’s wife. Their characters are David and Zahra, a couple with a newborn baby, who are guests at the hotel during the attack. This is a joint production of India, USA and Australia, the film is the direction of Anthony Maras. The film takes inspiration from the documentary, Surviving Mumbai (2009). The movie tells the story of the victims and survivors from the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film features British Indian actor, Dev Patel and Bollywood legend, Anupam Kher in main roles.

Mukhtar Sahota is a British music composer and producer, and he is well known for being in the band Sahotas. Mukhtar was born in Wolverhampton and as a talented musician, he plays multiple instruments and comes from a musical family. The DESIblitz team caught up with him and learned more about him and his life.

Ustad Zakir Hussain is an Indian tabla maestro. Born to a tabla playing artist, Allah Rakha, he followed in his father’s footsteps. Hussain who has accompanied Pandit Ravi Shankar (late), as well as Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, is a former recipient of the Grammy award. It is his aptitude for collaboration that set him on the path to success at the Grammy awards. Besides composing films like, In Custody (1993), he has formed groups such as Shakti with other musical talents. Zakir teamed up with Mickey Hart, Sikiru Adepoju and Giovanni Hidalgo for the Global Drum Project (2007) to win a Grammy award. He received the recognition in the ‘Best Contemporary World Music Album category at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009. Making the most of technological advances, the album utilises more digital sounds to remain fresh and relevant even in modern times.

The men’s World Cup Kabaddi 2019, one of the most eagerly awaited events in the world, will take place in Melaka Malaysia. The nine-day exciting tournament running from July 27 to August 4, 2019, features England. The England squad consists of a strong line-up for the mega event. They have opted for a mix of experience and youth. The Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF) will host the rectangular style tournament, as per approval from the governing body, World Kabaddi. There is a lot of hype and interest amongst the kabaddi fraternity from around the globe. Representatives from five continents have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to prepare their sides for this historic event.

The England Kabaddi Association have announced their men’s and women’s national teams for the inaugural World Cup Kabaddi 2019. The women’s team features 10 players from diverse backgrounds. There is provision to select two more female players before the World Cup Kabaddi starts. Whilst Emma Jones is skipper of the women’s team, Phoebe Schecter will be her deputy. The female players will play in a number of different positions.

DESIblitz catches up with Mumzy Stranger to chat about his collaboration on 'DANCE' and his thoughts on the UK music scene.

Founded in 2006, the SOI is the first and only professional symphony orchestra in India. It is founded by both NCPA Chairman Khushroo N. Suntook and Marat Bisengaliev, who is currently working as the orchestra’s Music Director. Since it began, the orchestra has performed in India and internationally. Furthermore, the SOI can boast that it has worked with over fifteen renowned conductors. This includes Charles Dutoit, Martyn Brabbins, and Carlo Rizzi, to name a few. Zane Dalal made his debut in Orchestral Conducting in the United States at Indiana University. He became one of their most distinguished conducting students, performing a wide range of new works, concerti and symphonic repertoire.

In an exclusive gupshup, we interview 3 of India's finest rappers, Naezy, Black Zang and Dee MC. We talk to them about their struggles, lives, the rise of rap music and hip hop lifestyles in India and their musical influences.

We are "Rockin' with the Best" in this video as we interview the hip-hop duo from Chandigarh, India Kru172.

Aladdin (2019) is a recreated version of the 1992 animated classic. In this video we get access to exclusive behind the scenes footage and speak with actors Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott. Following the success of many live-action films such as Cinderella (2015), Jungle Book (2016) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), audiences will get to see the beloved Aladdin, which hits the theatres from May 24, 2019. Aladdin (2019) is a fantasy musical remake of the 1992 classic by Disney, with some live action. Mena Massoud who is a recurring star of Jack Ryan (2018- present) on Amazon Prime Video was picked for the iconic role of Aladdin. Naomi Scott was chosen to play the much-loved character of Princess Jasmine. Legendary actor Will Smith portrays the hilarious Genie. Marwan Karwan takes on the role of Jafar, with Navid Negahban playing the Sultan.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) brings the brilliant play Venice Preserved to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Originally written by Thomas Otway in 1682, director Prasanna Puwanarajah has revamped the original into a shorter and thrilling production. The audience is struck by an exciting modern theatre from the opening scene: enter techno music, digital screens, laser beams and 80’s costumes. In this video we interview Prasanna Puwanarajah, Les Dennis and Natalie Dew.

Talented UK based Punjabi singer and musician Banger continues to grow a large fan base, with the release of his ninth track ‘Lalkareh Marda.’ Banger has many years of music behind him. From a young age, he learnt from the very best. Ever since then he has not looked back. Proud of his Punjabi heritage, Banger is famous for singing and Bhangra moves. DESIblitz caught up with Banger to discuss his musical background, ‘Lalkareh Marda,’ traditional versus digital approach and the music of the past to present.

DESIblitz exclusively chats to Bollywood star Manisha Koirala about her journey to survive cancer, her book 'HEALED' and film career, at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2019 in London.

Amrit Kaur Lohia is a London based singer-songwriter, vocalist and a very talented player of many instruments including the Indian Sarangi. She has represented UK Punjab Heritage before the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace, and is a Sarangi student of Shri Surjeet Singh, senior student of legendary Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan. We interview Amrit about her musical career and her interests after her Anhad Nad (Sounds from the Sikhs) performance at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

DESIblitz exclusively chats Prof. Madhavi Menon about Love, Sexuality and Desire in India at JLF 2019. Including LGBT, Indian values and rape.

DESIblitz exclusively chats to Navdeep Suri, the grandson of the famous Punjabi novelist Nanak Singh. Talking about his life, translations and in particular, Khooni Vaisakhi, a poem dedicated to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.