A remarkable project recently brought two gypsy folk musicians from Rajasthan (Northern India) to schools in Cardiff. Chugge Khan and Sattar Khan performed concerts and ran workshops in four schools in Cardiff, chosen because of their mixed ethnicity. Children listened in hushed silence to the extraordinary skills of these two musicians, who, despite their very limited English, seemed able to establish an instant rapport with their young audience. The Asian children seemed to be particularly thrilled, and many asked questions and stayed behind after-wards to talk with the musicians and to get a closer look at their instruments.

A young girl, who had just arrived in Cardiff from India with her family a few weeks before, was absolutely beaming as she spoke to the musicians in her native Hindi – their presence obviously did a lot to make her feel more at home. There was a general feeling that such cultural activities can make a real contribution to building better trust and understanding between the different ethnic groups represented at their schools.

Chugge and Sattar also performed concerts with Welsh musicians, blending the music of Rajasthan and Wales to produce an inspiring sound that had the audience on their feet calling out their appreciation. It created a strong sense of possibility for greater collaboration between people of the many different cultures for whom Wales is their home.
FURTHER INFORMATION : Steve Garrett, Cultural Concerns, 35 Beauchamp Street, Riverside, Cardiff, CF11 6AX. Tel: 00 44 +29 2022 7982 Fax: 00 44 +29 2021 6318
WEB SITE : http://www.CulturalConcerns.org.uk EMAIL: CulturalConcerns@onetel.net.uk