The Rt. Hon. Estelle Morris MP, Minister of State of Culture, Media and Sport, launched the new Birmingham-based School of Asian Performing Arts (SAPA) on Friday 19 November 2004. SAPA has been established to meet the aspirations of a multi-cultural generation in performing arts. It is unique in providing skills in both Indian Acting and Western drama techniques for Bollywood.

SAPA is offering courses in Acting, Voice training, Dancing, Singing, Indian instruments and Yoga. For the first time, a proper appreciation of Bollywood and its historical context will also be studied by the students.

Mr. Sawan Kumar Tak, President of the Producers Association in India and a Patron of the School says, "SAPA will also provide a platform to help students in their quest to work in the industry by organising workshops and audition opportunities by leaders of the Bollywood industry".

Mr. Rahul Rawail, a well known Bollywood Director and patron of the school, has launched new faces like Sunny Deol and Kajol in Bollywood, says "Bollywood is the biggest producer of films in the world and more and more projects are filmed in the UK. SAPA will provide future stars with a perfect start."

Mr. Sunandan Walia, the Principal, is wholly committed to the school and, from the outset, has worked vigorously on establishing and achieving its ambitious goals. He is a talented and respected film producer and director, heading Endboard Productions, which has for more than twenty years produced award-winning programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Mr. Ashwath Bhatt, lecturer in Acting, has been specially drafted in from the National School of Drama, India, which has produced alumni like Om Puri of 'East is East' and 'King of Bollywood' fame, Naseeruddin Shah and Neena Gupta to name a few. He has also trained at LAMDA. In the past he has trained actors who have been successful in productions such as 'Bombay Dreams' and other Asian 'soaps' on the popular satellite channel Star Plus.

Dr. Ranjita Awasthi, a PhD Gold medallist in Vocals, has been recruited, from India, to teach vocals, both modern and classical as well as the Sitar, Harmonium and Dholki.

SAPA is working closely with the Birmingham School of Acting and SAMPAD, in the areas of the course syllabus as well as course delivery. Stephen Simms the principal of Birmingham School of Acting adds "We are thrilled to be in partnership with this project, there is a great need and desire for it, not just in Birmingham but in the whole of Europe. Asian cultures have had a profound effect on many aspects of the way we teach these days. Working together with SAPA gives us all a chance to blend our training with eastern techniques and styles."

SAPA aims to be the centre of excellence for Asian performing arts. The School is running introductory courses until December 2004 which will lead on to intermediate courses. Thereafter SAPA will offer full term Foundation courses starting in September 2005. SAPA will eventually run a fully accredited three year course that will culminate in the award of a degree.

Click here to find about more about SAPA.