by Amit Sodha
AIM Editor and Broadcaster

Todays sees the release of the latest Rajar figures for the final quarter of 2011. There were no major shifts in listener numbers but Sunrise Radio is now back at the top spot in the race to be the number 1 Asian radio station.

Buzz Asia saw a slight rise after experiencing a fall in the first 2 quarters of 2011.  The worst news came for Kismat Radio which saw huge fall in numbers.

Sunrise Radio

Last Quarter 2011
490,000

Same Quarter Previous Year
481,000

Buzz Asia

Last Quarter 2011
108,000

Same Quarter Previous Year
113,000

BBC Asian Network

Last Quarter 2011
472,000

Same Quarter Previous Year
477,000

Kismat Radio

Last Quarter 2011
69,000

Same Quarter Previous Year
164,000

In other news Chris Moyles saw a slight rise in his numbers and Chris Evans remained steady.

Lebara Mobile UK Asian Music Awards (UK AMA) are launching a new talent search to find an unsigned act to perform live at this year’s 10th anniversary event.

One lucky winner, chosen by the UK AMA Unsigned judging panel, will win the once in a lifetime prize of performing in front of thousands of Asian music fans at Wembley Arena. The event will now take place on Thursday 25th October 2012 to allow this incredible competition to happen.

To enter the UK AMA Unsigned, visit the UK AMA website from Monday 2 April 2012 www.theukama.com.

Event: The World Hajj & Umrah Convention (WHUC)

Date: Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th February 2012

Venue: British Museum, London.

About: This two-day convention is a unique opportunity for Hajj & Umrah industry experts to promote business services, learn new best practices, exchange ideas and network with over 300 attending delegates.

The event program comprises of the Main Conference, B2B Network Session, Educational Seminar, WHUC Business Exhibition and a tour of the British Museum’s Hajj exhibition.

The Convention will be teeming with fascinating discussion and analysis through an unrivalled line-up of esteemed academicians, government representatives, religious figures and other key members from the sector. The learning exchange platform and B2B networking forums will be at the core of the Convention, with only the highest level of leading figures in attendance at this event.

Visit: http://whuc.org for information or to register

by Zeenat Moosa
Freelance Journalist

The BBC Asian Network has today confirmed that Sonia Deol will be leaving the popular station in March.

After tweeting over the weekend that she had some personal news to share, Sonia told listeners this morning that she is departing the digital network to get married and pursue an exciting new life in Vancouver, Canada.

In a statement, Sonia said,

“It’s with mixed emotions that I announce I’m leaving the BBC Asian Network. Although it’s a very happy time for me and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life, I am going to dearly miss my fantastic radio family, both on and off-air. We’ve been through so much together over the years and shared some fantastic achievements. I’m proud of the fact that we’ve made the station the most listened to Asian service in the country.”

I’m honoured to have worked with a brilliant team where we more than doubled the audience on the mid-morning show in the last two years and I’ve also had so much fun working with our Events team, hosting successful music tours and Melas. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my friends and colleagues for their guidance and encouragement during my career. The next few weeks will no doubt be emotional as I start to say goodbye to the audience I love with all my heart, and get ready to make a new start in a new country. I wish the BBC Asian Network the very best for the future.”

Vijay Sharma, Head of the BBC Asian Network, said,

“I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to Sonia from all of us, for her wonderful contribution to the Asian Network. Her understanding of our Asian audience has been a real asset to the station over the years and she has always connected with them in an authentic and sensitive way. I am sure that there are projects in the future where we would love to see her on stage or behind the microphone for the Asian Network, keeping that link with our audience who are certainly going to miss her.”

Despite a few short breaks persuing other projects, Sonia has remained a constant voice for the BBC Asian Network. Since starting in 1996, she has hosted a range of programmes, including the daily discussion show, breakfast, documentaries and her current mid-morning show. She has been an ambassador for the station on stage, during numerous Summer of Melas and has hosted many of the network’s partnered concerts, including Asha Bhosle and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Her last day will be Friday 2nd March 2012.

BFI Southbank will celebrate the work of renowned actor, director and Hindu megastar, Raj Kapoor with a season of workshops and films throughout February.

The tribute will include a selection of eight new 35mm prints from the touring programme Raj Kapoor and The Golden Age of Indian Cinema, curated by Noah Cowan, Artistic Director for TIFF Bell Lightbox and organised by TIFF, IIFA and RK Films with the support of the Government of Ontario.

The prints will capture some of Kapoor’s most famous films, like Fire, My Name is Joker, Bobby and Where the Ganges Flows. There will also be a lecture from Kings College lecturer Rachel Dwyer as well as a four day course entitled Super Tramp Hindustani-Style led by writer and programmer Behroze Gandhy.

The Raj Kapoor Tribute runs from 1-29th February. For more information or to book tickets visit http://www.southbanklondon.com/attraction/bfi/

A British Asian Entrepreneur has successfully created Facebook’s first property app.

Sohail Rashid, an experienced conveyancing lawyer in his 20s created Property Place after becoming aware of the lack of innovation and transparency in today’s property market

The beta version of the app is already online and has over 400,000 properties, allowing home-owners and landlords to advertise property for sale, rent and room share via their Facebook profile.

Unlike RightMove and Zoopla who only use properties from estate agents, Property Place is accessible by ordinary people and makes it very easy for users to rent or sell their properties or rooms as it gives them access to the huge membership, sharing and commenting abilities offered through Facebook.

The app will be launched in late January 2012 and is currently available in its beta version at http://apps.facebook.com/propertyplace.

Channel 4 announced the final three additions to its award winning News programme earlier this week. And two of the three are Asian faces. The trio now completes the onscreen team after a year of big name hiring and promotions for home grown talent.

Asha Tanna has been appointed as Science Reporter, a vacant role after Tom Clarke’s promotion to Science Editor. Having freelanced for the programme as well as Sky News, Asha will cover stories across the science agenda. Starting in regional print journalism and with more than ten years experience in broadcast, she also has a particular interest in biological sciences, and is currently studying a Masters in primate biology, behaviour and conservation. She will join the programme on a full-time basis following the completion of three months of field research in Western Uganda examining the effects of deforestation on wild chimpanzee populations.

The programme has also appointed 26-year-old Fatima Manji as a general reporter. Fatima has been working for BBC East since joining the BBC as a trainee in 2008, on topics ranging from poor housing conditions to an increase in hate crimes against new migrants.

And finally, completing he trio is BBC Correspondent Ciaran Jenkins who will also join as a general reporter.

The appointments complete a wave of changes to the programme that has seen Cathy Newman join the presenting team alongside Jon Snow, Krishnan Guru Murthy and new hire Matt Frei (who is also Washington Correspondent). The programme has also recruited its first ever Weather Presenter – Liam Dutton – and refreshed the look and feel of the studio, branding and programme structure.

Jim Gray, Editor, Channel 4 News comments:

“These are brilliant new additions to the team- the perfect complement to the established stars we welcomed earlier this year. We are fantastically equipped to deliver on our commitment to giving our audience specialist insight, engaging experts and superlative coverage of the issues modern Britain cares about.”

Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 adds:

“Spotting and supporting new talent is a crucial part of Channel 4′s remit and I’m thrilled we’ve found these journalists at such exciting stages of their careers. This team boasts hungry, informed journalists across the editorial agenda- what a great way to start the year.”

2012 promises to be quite an exciting year for Asian music with the AMA’s being held at Wembley Arena. It seems as if the genre is moving forward but still has a long way to go.

Some would say that Asian music will never quite make a mainstream niche all of it’s own but there are some very exiting prospects on the horizon.

Once such prospect is Tazzz who’s recent release of ‘Radha‘ which has been causing quite a buzz.

Featuring RKZ, Kan-D Man, Raxstar, Menis and Raver from PMG, Tazzz wanted to bring some of the best Asian burban artists together and try something new with the beat.

Tazzz said:

“Radha is not only a concept but also a taster and prelude to what is hopefully a new feel to Asian music. With a dub-step beat, intertwined with a bollywood classic ‘Radha’ from the movie Lagaan.”

Check out Radha on Youtube and share your thoughts with us on twitter.

A lot seems to have happened while AIM has been on hiatus. I was extremely shocked and somewhat saddened to hear that Asiana Magazine, one of the UK’s most popular Asian lifestyle magazines has now ceased publication.

In a statement released in the latter part of last year, publishers I and I Media explained that a desire to focus on future online development plans and the core wedding market meant the printed version of Asiana Magazine would soon terminate.

In a statement the publishers said:

“In keeping with our business strategy of developing our online presence in the UK and worldwide, Asiana’s content – including Asian fashion, beauty, lifestyle and entertainment, will now be available exclusively on our portal www.asiana.tv. This will enable more up-to-date content to be available for existing readers and increase visibility of the brand to a much wider audience worldwide. Asiana’s online platform will also allow advertisers a more targeted approach to reach customers and take advantage of the growing popularity of the website”.

It is believed that the Asiana Wedding magazine will continue to be published as usual, with its quarterly frequency and 500-page format unchanged.

In the space of just 3 weeks, Why This Kolaveri Di, a soundtrack from and upcoming Tamil film called 3, has had an incredible 22million views.  

To put this into perspective, a song like Teri Meri from the movie Bodyguard, which has been around for four months, has so far had 19million views, despite being the hit of the summer.

Written and sung by Dhanush , the song was composed by music director Anirudh Ravichander.  The hook of the song translates to “why this murderous rage?”.

Most people are now familiar with this song since being played on all the Asian radio stations but what is also becoming hugely popular is a cover version performed by a singer from London known as Arjun.  

Since releasing his R&B cover version on Youtube just 3 days ago, he has already got over 300,000 views.

Arjun said on twitter:

“wow totally humbled by the support for my Kolaveri Remix. 200,000 views in 48 hours and it’s been shared almost 100,000 on facebook!#Love” (sic).

Tonight sees the return of Bombay Bronx –  a funky Asian night hosted by Nihal of Radio1 at the Notting Hill Arts Club.

The return will be headlined by singer Shide Boss and will include Ameet Chana as one of the guest DJ’s.

The Bronx night was renowned for great music and good company but unfortunately came to an end 17 months ago.

To make sure the quality of the night is preserved no large groups of guys will be permitted, it will be guest list only, everyone will require ID and the code will be dress to impress.

Bombay Bronx will happen every 3 months and will be on the first Monday of the month.  To be on the guest list email jiggapree13@gmail.com.

by Amit Sodha
AIM Editor and Broadcaster

Sunny (Hundal) Gaddafi has been captured by rebel forces and overthrown from as editor Asians in Media, we can reveal today.

A new editor will take his place as the online magazine is relaunched after a year long hiatus.

When asked, rebel leader Amit S said: “It’s a great day for democracy and justice.  We’ve been living under the dictatorship of Sunny for many years and it was only a matter of time before his tyranny came to an end.”

Sunny will still make the odd guest appearance but accepted last night that his reign was over.

“I think it’s time fresh blood took over AiM Magazine. I’ve got other things, like the International Criminal Court, to worry about now,” he said.

If you wish you contact to cover any stories, or for press releases, follow AIM on Twitter or email the new editor at – amit(at)asiansinmedia(dot)org.

Having bought a controlling stake in Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks studio, rumours of billionaire-industrialist Anil Ambani’s buyout of MGM Studios dominated movie industry news in early 2010.

But despite his colossal power, the boss of Reliance Big Pictures company doesn’t get the prize for being the first Indian to make waves in Hollywood.

That credit goes to Ashok Amritraj, the one time professional tennis player turned movie mogul who this year celebrates 30 years in the industry and production of 100 films in Hollywood.

The film producer was in London recently for one in a series of celebratory events honouring his landmark achievement.

As the man behind Hollywood hits such as ‘Bringing Down The House’, ‘Premonition’ and upcoming ‘Streetfighter’, during the span of his three decade career, the century of films Ashok has executive produced have gross in excess of $1 billion worldwide.

Amritraj has partnered with every major studio in tinsel-town, and produced films starring the likes of Bruce Willis, Sandra Bullock, Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett.

During his London visit Ashok confirmed that his company has two new film projects “of a British nature” in the pipeline, with plans to shoot both in the UK before the end of 2010.

His company Hyde Park Entertainment has picked up the film rights to Andy McNab’s twelve-novel espionage series based around the character Nick Stone, an ex-SAS officer turned freelance intelligence officer who works on perilous operations for cash.

“We’ve also bought the rights to remake The Persuaders!, the classic 1970s action/adventure series that originally starred Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. We’re in the process of casting that and Brit Peter Howitt, who directed Sliding Doors, will be behind that.”

Originally shown on ITV, the show centred on two international playboys, one American and the other English, who come together to solve cases the courts are unable to.

With movie making partnerships in Singapore, India and the Middle East, Amritraj’s Hyde Park has pioneered the effort to build a bridge between East and West by bringing together cinema and cultural exchanges and providing a platform for Indian and Asian talent to be showcased on a global scale.

Commonly viewed as “India’s Ambassador to Hollywood”, Ashok has preferred to locate his Indian base in his native city of Chennai where he was born and raised, rather than Mumbai where his fellow Hollywood producers have headed.

According to the tycoon, Hollywood’s attempt to get a slice of the Bollywood pie has been a “purely economic” collaboration to date, with studios like Warners, Disney and Fox having “little creative input” into the kind of films they finance for the Asian markets.

“They went in there thinking it was going to be like any other market so their first few attempts were not that great,” he says.

“Now they are rethinking the whole strategy on how many movies they will make and distribute in India. They have the staying power and want to be on the ground, so let’s see what happens.”

Similarly, Ashok recognises the keen interest eastern financers like Ambani have taken in Hollywood. “Economic growth is pretty unstoppable in India, China and the Middle East, and like me a lot of people there would like to be in the movie business.”

————
Jaspreet Pandohar is a freelance writer and filmmaker.
jaspreetpandohar@yahoo.co.uk

Rifco Arts, the theatre company behind popular productions such as The Deranged Marriage, There’s Something About Simmy and Where’s My Desi Soulmate are launching their biggest show yet from tomorrow.

The show will tour around the country until 17th July.

Britain’s Got Bhangra has been two years in development and is the first of its kind Bhangra musical. It charts the rise of British Bhangra music ‘from the sequin clad 80s through to the RnB fusion of the current charts’.

The musical features Twinkle, a singer who arrives in a cold UK straight from the fields of Punjab. Can his talent shine through or will the remixed bling of the 90s DJ ruin his dreams?

The cast includes award winning performer Shin: the lead singer of Bhangra band DCS; Sophiya Haque (Coronation Street, Bombay Dreams); Natasha Lewis (Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd); Rakesh Boury (We Will Rock You) and Rina Fatania (Deranged Marriage, Bombay Dreams).

The story is written by Pravesh Kumar, artistic director of Rifco Arts and behind the theatre company’s earlier hit shows.

www.rifcoarts.com

Tour
Press night: 28th April at Theatre Royal Stratford East

Theatre Royal Stratford East, London: 17th April – 16th May
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry: 25th May – 5th June
Oxford Playhouse: 8th-12th June
Watford Palace Theatre: 15th -19th June
The Lowry, Salford Quays: 22nd -26th June
Theatre Royal Windsor: 29th June- 3rd July
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds: 13th -17th July

The Sony Radio Academy Awards announced yesterday that Asian Network had been nominated for best speech programme and best news special.

Also nominated was relative newcomer Waqas Saeed who presents the Early Breakfast show for a ‘Rising Star’ Award. Prior to the show he supported Adil Ray on his then afternoon Drivetime show.

6 Music got nominations for: best music programme, music radio personality of the year, music broadcaster of the year, best comedy, specialist contributor and station imaging.

The Sony Awards will be presented on Monday 10 May at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

The Asian Network also got another boost from internal BBC figures, AIM magazine has learnt.

BBC figures show that the digital station got over 750,000 unique viewers last week on its Interactive Red-Button site. For context, that is the same number that BBC Proms gets on its Red-button site.

An insider told AIM magazine that Asian Network still had tremendous pull, and not just with Asian listeners. “It shows that if you make something national, on an Asian level, by the bbc, the viewers will come.”

In December 2004 Gurpreet Bhatti was forced to go into hiding when threats from Sikh extremists forced the Birmingham Rep to shut down Behzti.

There were numerous protests in Birmingham over the play. Its critics said it insulted Sikhism by depicting rape in a Gurdwara.

Ms Bhatti’s new play ‘Behud’ (Beyond Belief) is her interpretation of what happened at the time. It is a humorous look at one woman’s attempt to tell a story.

Behud is showing at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry until 10th April.
It will also show at the Soho Theatre, London, from 13th April to 8th May 2010

Promotional video

The magazine Index on Censorship is also hosting free several debates in Coventry this Saturday to mark Ms Bhatti’s return to theatre.

In 2004 there were concerns that the fallout from the ‘Behzti’ affair would have a chilling effect in British Theatre and that it would be increasingly difficult to stage controversial work.

‘Behzti Five Years On’ focuses on theatre in the Midlands, and asks to what extent this has come true. Is support for freedom of expression on the decline? See this page for more info.

Behud
Writer: Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti
Director: Lisa Goldman

Live East, the first magazine of its kind in East London, will replicate the model of its hugely well-regarded Brixton-based sister publication Live South, which has a track record with improving lives and offering opportunities to young people in South London since 2001.

The magazine will tackle issues such as diversity, cultural identity and religion and aim to reach out to many of Tower Hamet’s vulnerable young people.

Gavin Weale, Director of Live Futures, said: “Young people in East London are among the most disadvantaged in the country. Through Live East we want to engage and celebrate them, give them a voice and encourage them to tackle and debate key local issues, as well as give them the opportunity to gain valuable skills and work experience.”

Live Futures is a social enterprise that specialises in engaging and improving the lives of young people.

Rahul Verma, journalist and professional mentor for Live East said: “Live East draws people from a huge range of different backgrounds. Some are students with a serious passion for a career in the media, but many are young people who are experiencing disadvantage, struggling with school or feeling marginalised.”

Under the model, young people aged 14 to 22, many of whom have been identified by youth services as being “at-risk” or have been through the criminal justice system, receive training, mentoring, accreditation and job coaching.

The launch event featured performances from hip-hop artist Mumzy Stranger and top London grime artist Mz Bratt.
www.live-magazine.co.uk

Called ‘Alchemy’, the festival will feature a full programme of music, dance, literature, food, debate and fashion.

Events will range from a rare classical concert by celebrated composer A.R. Rahman to the very best UK Bhangra, to an evening of music and chat with the Grewal Family from Channel 4’s hit docu-drama The Family.

It will also have free classical and folk dance workshops, early morning yoga, the Alchemy Market and an immersive installation that recreates the sights and sounds of Southall.

The five-day festival will take over all venues and spaces of Southbank Centre from 7th to 11th April.

Also featured
- Literature and talks
The Alchemy Debates, part of British Council’s UK-India Cultural Connections programme (7/8/10/11 April) explores the foundations and context of Alchemy, opening with the timely discussion India: Global Powerhouse? (7 April). Throughout the festival UK and Indian artists come together to begin the process of creating new collaborative work and share progress with the public on two occasions.

- Free events
A free events programme throughout the Festival will transform The Clore Ballroom, Spirit Level and surrounding areas with a range of events including Daandiya Raas Stick Dancing, The Southall Story: Live featuring performances by Bhangra musician Kuljit Bhamra and Mohindra Kaur Bhamra and an insight into life in Southall with The Southall Storytellers.

- Food
The Alchemy Market in Southbank Centre Square will offer Indian food, hot chai and crafts and The Nation’s Dish will see a guest appearance by celebrity chefs.

On 8 April BBC Radio 1 DJ, Nihal hosts his BBC Asian Network show at Southbank Centre, broadcasting live from The Clore Ballroom. He brings together a panel of artists and decision makers to discuss the ingredients that make Indian culture what it is today, followed by a ‘cook off’ between celebrated chef, Atul Kochar and Sarbjit Grewal, the mother from Channel 4’s The Family.

Tickets from: Southbank Centre: 0871 663 2500
www.southbankcentre.co.uk

“I still retain a bond with the paper and will carry working with them on a freelance basis.”

“In the midst of all this upheaval, the one thing I remain convinced about is my love for news reporting and I intend to keep doing that while experimenting with different media.”