To mark Bangladesh Independence Day 'My Golden Bangla' on Friday 26 March 2010 presents a stellar line up of live music, spoken word, dance, literature, exclusive sets and bespoke collaborations alongside the launch of Cuts, a new photography exhibition that will be housed at Rich Mix until the end of April. My Golden Bangla celebrates London's Bangladeshi / Bengali heritage through the work of established artists as well as Rich Mix's local talent. It will also feature an exclusive production by a media artist who travelled to Bangladesh to put together messages straight from the streets of Dhaka & Chittagong - from artists, activists, writers to ordinary people.

LIVE MUSIC

State Of Bengal & Paban Das Baul: Tana Tani
with special guests Mimlu Sen and Suzana Ansar

World-renowned Sufi Baul musician Paban Das Baul returns to London after last year's sold out show at the Barbican hosted by William Dalrymple, for the long awaited live set from Tana Tani, the collaboration album with British Asian music pioneer State Of Bengal. The album was picked as one of Songlines magazine’s top ten global albums of the year.

A Golden Age

A dramatic reading of Tahmima Anam’s award winning novel in a musical juxtaposition between actress Leeza Gazi and musicians Sohini Alam and Oliver Weeks.

Arun Ghosh (Clarinet) Idris Rahman (Sax) Kishon Khan (Piano) - exclusive set
Featuring vocalist Labik Kamal Gaurob & Mithun Chakraborty on Tabla

These three rising talents, have been causing a stir in the contemporary jazz scene. All three are accomplished musicians effortlessly journey through jazz, Afro-Cuban, dub & their Bengali folk heritage. My Golden Bangla, brings them together for this special collaboration featuring one of the rising contemporary stars of Bangladesh, Labik Kamal Gaurob.

Asian Dub Foundation – exclusive set

Original ADF line up come together in this one off event to perform their seminal track Rebel Warrior; their tribute to the revolutionary poet Nazrul Islam.

Deeder Zaman & Dr. Das (bass)

Sneak preview of ADF’s original front man Deeder’s new album 'Pride of the Underdog', produced by the legendary Adrian Sherwood of On U Soundsystem. Bassist Aniruddha Das aka Dr. Das, co-founder of ADF, will be joining him on stage.

VISUAL ARTS

Cuts

A preview launching the photography and video exhibition by Robert Streeter, explores a generation’s unique style. Like the punks and teddy boys before them, the 'banglaboys' of East London define themselves through their appearance. Hip-hop attitude and Bollywood-esque high sheen influence their intricate hairstyles; created in and around Brick Lane.

Dance

Amina Khayyam - Kathak dance
A commissioned tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh. Choreographer & dancer Amina delivers a powerfully emotive piece set to contemporary music & spoken work by actor REZ KABIR, from Nazrul's famous poem The Rebel (Bidrohi).

Sarah Sayeed - Spoken word artist/actress & fierce lyricist brings her unique, quirky blend of powerful writing & vocals in a soulful, live set with Badeshi.

Voices from the streets of the East End

Naga - BBC Blast & SLAMbassadors winning lyricist.
Spitting from an Asian perspective, Naga performs his own beats & strong conscious lyrics outlining his life in the East End.

SH8S

One of the original (ex) founders of Desi Movement, Sh8s gives a 2-track sampler of his fierce lyrics rising from the streets of Brick Lane.

Badeshi

"World wide & between the tempos"

DJ/producer Badeshi mixes his blend from Dubstep to Baul Soundscapes.

Video Installation:

Direct from the streets of Dhaka, Chittagong & London messages from artists, writers, activists, and ordinary people.
Conceptual idea: Sweety Kapoor

Executed by: Hamja Ahsan.

Video Installation:
A conversation with 3 leading figures from Dhaka's creative field.
Hamja Ahsan.

Commissioned Media Artist: Hamja Ahsan

Event Curated/Produced by: Sweety Kapoor