Dotara Shilply Gushti

2pm - 3pm on UNISON World and Jazz Stage

Dotara Shilpi Gushti ("Dotara Artists Group") have been performing traditional Bengali and Indian folk songs since 1982. Latchu Miah, their founder and leader, formed the group soon after moving to Newport from Manchester, where he had studied the tabla under Siddek Jevia. His earliest memories of music, however, go back to his childhood in Sylhet, Bangladesh. "I heard someone playing the flute at my Primary School and thought then that I wanted to play music as well" .

The development of the group over the last 25 years has been a slow process. In the 1980s there was virtually no outside interest in traditional Bengali folk music. However, times are changing. The group now have a very loyal, and growing following within the Newport South Asian community, with a growing "crossover" interest from world music fans. As a result of this, the Group has begun to get more recognition. Folk Roots magazine ran an article about the group in 2003. BBC Radio 3 have posted a page on their "World on Your Street" website (where you can also download a song), More locally, the group featured in a Radio3 New Years Day concert in 2004.

Part of the reason for this interest must be to do with Rumena Begum, Latchu’s daughter and the group’s lead vocalist and harmonium player. Rumena has emerged as an impressive young singing talent and spokesperson for her music. "I sing in Bengali, Hindi and in Urdu. I have singing lessons in Cardiff with my classical teacher, Anuradha Roma Choudhury, so that I can improve. My songs talk about love and family, issues that audiences from all cultures relate to. The melodies always provoke emotion".

The group’s line up includes keyboard, flute, harmonium, dhol (pronounced “dool”), mondira (small brass cymbals) and the dotara, a two stringed lute which is the national instrument of Bangaldesh.

One of the songs the group will perform this year is “Milon Hobe Kote Dine” a love song from the canon of “Lalon Gitis”. These types of songs were written by a famous Baul (hermit) called Lalon Giti. Milton Hobe will be sung by Shamin, a young singer who is performing at Maindee for the first time this year.

Dotara Shilply Gushti are always a highlight of Maindee Festival and we are delighted to welcome them again to our main stage.