‍Antakshari - The ultimate desi sing-song

Saturday, August 19th, Kala Sangam

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The  first ever BSAF Antakshari competition was the ultimate South Asian sing-song event. This traditional singing competition, with a South Asian twist, is a beloved parlour game enjoyed by families across the subcontinent during various celebratory events. It illustrates an extroverted and performative streak  in many in the South Asian diaspora, who love to sing, dance, and revel in the joy of melody.

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A packed room joined us for an afternoon of musical fun, featuring four teams of singers competing to be crowned Bradford's Antakshari champions for 2023. Perfect pitch wasn't necessary, but knowing your desi tunes was essential! The event was kicked off by Bradford's own all-female South Asian choir, SongGeet, who led a mixed family crowd through rounds of singing. The atmosphere was incredibly joyful, aligning perfectly with this year's festival theme of J.O.Y - "Just Own You." Participants embraced an important part of their culture and identity, and shared it with those of other backgrounds.

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The competition featured a diverse array of songs, spanning from the 1970s and 1980s, golden oldies to current hits, including Bollywood and Pakistani classics, as well as folk songs familiar to people from across the subcontinent. The magic of the afternoon lay in bringing together individuals from various South Asian backgrounds, transcending faith and national borders. People who might not normally share a space came together to sing, enjoy music, celebrate their heritage, and share laughter and smiles.

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It was heartwarming to see participants from South Asian backgrounds immersing themselves in the activity, and for those of non Asian backgrounds to have their eyes and ears opened to this side of desi heritage.

Due to its popularity, we hope to make the Antakshari competition an annual BSAF event. Get your vocal chord warmed up for 2024!

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