One only has to look at the recent success of films such as East is East and Bend it Like Beckham, or the popularity of television programmes such as The Kumars at No. 42, to see that South Asian artists have reached the cultural mainstream. The popularity of South Asian dance and music too, is measured by the success of artists like Akram Khan and Talvin Singh, whose talents have launched them to positions of high profile both nationally and internationally.
While there are breakthrough artists and artforms to be recognised, however, we also have to wonder why we can only count them on one or two hands. This is the view of Dr Sarita Malik, head of Asian Arts Development at West London multi-purpose arts venue, Watermans. ‘There are so many exciting, dynamic South Asian artists working in Britain at the moment,’ she says. ‘They need to be recognised, as well.’
