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" he recalls.

The development of the group over the last 20 years has been a slow process. In the 1980s there was virtually no outside interest in traditional Bengali folk music. Within the Bangladeshi community, support for DSG’s music has also been mixed. The Prophet associated music with drunkenness, so many Islamic scholars consider music to be haraam (that which is forbidden for Muslims). However some scholars have taken a different view, stating that music is permissible (halal) for weddings and some celebrations. This controversy can make the position of the musician a very lowly one in Islamic culture and it can be hard for groups like DSG to develop.

Part of the reason for this growing interest must be to do with Rumena Begum, Latchu’s daughter and the group’s lead vocalist and harmonium player. Growing up in a musical family helped her develop a love of traditional music from an early age. Now 18, Rumena is rapidly emerging as an impressive young singing talent and spokesperson for her music. "I sing in Bengali, Hindi and in Urdu but because I've lived in the UK since I was 3 months old my pronunciation isn't always correct. I'm having 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".

Another member of the group to look out for is Carl Butcher, who had recently joined DSG on sitar. Carl is well know on the Newport music scene as a guitarist and guitar teacher. In fact he has taught guitar to most of the best musicians to emerge from Newport over the last twenty years. He has known Latchu for years and is now a regular member of the group.

We are delighted to welcome this talented family group back to Maindee Festival.