The ‘real’ Guru

Perhaps more than ever before, the influence of South Asian culture in the British cultural mainstream reached frenzied heights this year. But while Bollywood-style dance and music was camped up for the masses, one of the major influences behind the growth of South Asian culture in Britain continues to dedicate his time to performing and teaching up-and-coming talent.
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It was the year Bollywood came to Britain. In 2002, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s £4 million musical Bombay Dreams opened in the West End, The Guru opened in cinemas nationally and internationally – and Graham Norton jumped on the Bollywood bandwagon by adopting it for the opening theme of ‘V Graham Norton.’ And who could forget Selfridges’ elaborate store and window dressings celebrating the Asian influence?

Perhaps more than ever before, the influence of South Asian culture in the British cultural mainstream reached frenzied heights this year. But while Bollywood-style dance and music was camped up for the masses, one of the major influences behind the growth of South Asian culture in Britain continues to dedicate his time to performing and teaching up-and-coming talent, such as ‘Contemporary Kathak’ dancer – and choreographer-in-residence at the Royal Festival Hall – Akram Khan.

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Michelle Draper
About the Author
Michelle lived and worked in Rome and London as a freelance feature writer for two and a half years before returning to Australia to take up the position of Head Writer for Arts Hub UK. She was inspired by thousands of years of history and art in Rome, and by London's pubs. Michelle holds a BA in Journalism from RMIT University, and also writes for Arts Hub Australia.