Patron: The Baroness Uddin

BritBangla's continual aim is to raise the Bengali profile, highlight up and coming talents and inspirational BritBengalis. BritBangla is a platform that has been promoting talents and some of the movers and shakers in the community. Profiles of some successful British Bengali achievement stories are on the website.

You don't get to hear much about the BritBengalis so here's some of whom have been making headlines…
Writer and director Neil Biswas who was nominated for a Bafta award for his drama Bradford Riots. Tahmina Anam has attracted favourable attention with her debut novel A Golden Age, Joi - new album released 'Without Zero', Britain's first Bangladeshi judge Sapnara Khatun was appointed this year, Rushanara Ali the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bethnal Green, a fantasitic comedy actress Shelley Islam and sell-out performance of British-Bangladeshi dancer-choreographer Akram Khan's duet with the Royal Ballet star Sylvie Guillem of 'Sacred Monsters' at Sadler Well's. Farook Shamsher, JOI, first musician to give birth to the British Asian fusion music, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Asian Music Awards. Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty has been nominated for a CBE.

News on members
Adil Choudhury - Adil is an artist and has his own record label, Bass of Bengal. 'Dilweed' is the official DJ for Bass of Bengal. He started off playing on stations such as heat fm, ouch fm, and also played at the middlesex summerball 03 alongside Trevor Nelson and Punjabi Hit Squad. Currently he is playing on the Renegade Show every Sunday and is the main producer for Bass of Bengal. DJ Dilweed specialises in classic hip-hop, uk garage, Desi and dub-step, he has a unique ability to mix and blend any different genres at the same time. DJ Dilweed has edited and mastered releases such as the Message song, was rapping in Syhleti on the Maya single and is currently working on projects such as the DESI compilation, along with his own album including top Hip-Hop acts called Reformation.
Shahena Ali - Celebrity Chef: Shahena Ali, formerly a city fund manager is now part of the stable of Celebrity Chefs in the UK bringing her own refreshing new approach to the world of traditional Indian and Bengali Cookery. She has also had international interest from the media. Shahena is currently undertaking projects with US and UK celebrity chefs and firms. She is a regular columnist and writer for Zaikha Magazine; and has appeared at food festivals in Covent Garden, London and the Zee TV Carnival and appearances on TV programmes such as BBC Great Food Live.
Shamsul Islam was working as an IT consultant and gave his career up to pursue his business venture in property development. He recently opened The Ivory Mansion banqueting suite situated in East London for events. www.ivorymansion.com
Sarah Sayeed - Check out the young talent Sarah's music on My Space at: www.myspace.com/sarahsayeed. She is currently working on a short film.
Romie Ali - Romie has finally started singing live on stage. His new album 'RADHA' is due for release soon. He is currently working on his new videos. Also seeking female models/dancers to for appearing in his videos that will be shown on the B4U music, as well as some of the Bangla channels in the UK. Anyone interested then drop an email to britbangla@britbangla.net
Sandip Chakravarty - Sandip (Sandyman) is a tabla maestro who regularly scores music for various musical concerts, albums and films in the UK and Europe. In 2003 was invited by Sir Paul McCartney for a private performance at their residence. Over the years Sandyman has cultivated an unprecedented reputation as a musician who can easily move between traditional and popular music styles from all cultures. www.sandyman.co.uk If you attended the recently Baishaki Mela in Brick Lane then you would have heard Sandip perform on stage.
Waris Islam - Waris, a filmmaker/director, is now working for Channel 4 directing 'Hollyoaks" and is currently planning to make a short film called 'Banglatown'. In the past his film 'Family portrait' was shortlisted for the best British Indpendent short film at the Raindance Film Festival 2005.
Niaz Alam - now the Deputy Director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, www.ethicaltrade.org, previously he was the Head of Social Issues at the Ethical Investment Research Service (EIRIS).
Aladin - Aladin - made a special appearance only - is slated to appear in trailers and posters worldwide for this British feature film featuring the talents of Channel 4 T.V.s 'Peep Show'. Aladin is featured in the incredible 'Book of Cool' performing magic. Tthe book followed an extraordinary year where it swept every award it was nominated for - is entering into global marketing deals and live tours for North America and Middle East/Asia. It also expects to begin pre-production work on a U.K. terrestrial television version of Book of Cool this Spring. Aladin has been asked to take on a prominent role across these projects. Finally, Aladin has taken on his first public live art commission since his annus mirabilis in 1999 [when he had projects for the ICA, Whitechapel Art Gallery, LIFT, British Festival of Visual Theatre and Freddy Fresh/Fatboy Slim]. This new project will take place over the summer, 2007, and engages with Aladin's interests in sustainable development.
Monshur Alam - Monshur who has set up his own filmmaking business has now a new movie 'A Boxer' a documentary prologue. Check out www.aboxer.com. He has been nominated for 'BusinessWeek's Young European Entrepreneur of the Year' 2007 - weblink.
Shamim Chowdhury - former Deputy Foreign News Editor for SKY is now joined Al Jazeera International as News Editor.
Shelley Islam - Shelley completed a run of comedy show 'Mixt Nutz' at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and does improvised comedy.
Raza Miah - business entrepreneur launching Northamtonshire Curry Chef Competition 2007 that will be hosted at Northampton College on 20th August 2007. Any interests email psadik@yahoo.co.uk

Good News Stories
We are interested in hearing from BB members who would like to share their good news stories or email your press release to britbangla@britbangla.net

Bangladesh Studies
Murad Qureshi, London Wide Assembly member together with the University of Cambridge International Examinations, has called for the Department of Education to make IGSCEs in Bangladeshi studies available to school pupils. The availability of such IGCSEs would be useful in helping the personal development of many young pupils in the Bangladeshi Community of the UK as it would make them appreciate and better understand the history, geography, culture and environment of their ancestral home. Furthermore, it should be welcomed in the present climate in which identities are often emphasised mainly on a religious basis. Murad strongly believes that "offering pupils the opportunity to study these IGCSEs will help to strengthen community cohesion, tackle extremism in South Asian Communities and raise aspirations among the South Asian youngsters in the UK. In the light of this, it seems clear that in order for the Government to achieve its own stated objectives, A GCSEs in Bangladesh studies should be made available to schools in the maintained sector."

Media - Need people for TV and Radio shows
BritBangla recently received media coverage by BBC Asian Network, ASIANA magazine, and is regularly approached for contributions from mainstream media such as Channel 4, BBC and Granada TV.
Would you like to appear or speak on topical issus on Bengali programmes for Bengali TV and BBC Asian Network? We are compiling a list of interested people from various backgrounds. It is important the members voices are heard so put your name forward. Media approach BritBangla for members to appear on TV/Radio shows and contribute to debates or give their opinions. Of course, for the Bengali TV/Radio programmes you will need to be able to speak a little bit of Bangla! If you are happy to be interviewed and give your points of view on current affairs/community issues then drop a line and state the following: Profession/student, contact email/number. Email your details to britbangla@britbangla.net

PR Team - BritBangla
Are you gunning to be the next Asian entrepreneur to come face to face with Sir Alan Sugar? Do you wish to fulfil your dream of becoming a rising star on Britain's asian music scene? Have you written a novel that could become the next bestseller? If you think you fit the bill of an asian rising star in whatever field, contact the new PR team at Britbangla now to talk about your prospects and see how we can help get your
face and more importantly your talent, known in the fiercely competitive asian and British media. Email: pr@britbangla.net

Offers & Competition
BritBangla is giving away signed copies of the new music albums by State of Bengal's 'SKIP-IJ' and 'Without Zero' by JOI.
Discounts to restaurants just print off the email. Check out www.britbangla.net.

BritBangla Event: Banana Leaf Luncheon @ Durbar: Sunday 22nd July 2007
A fabulous 'Bengali' themed lunch event - a celebration of Bangladeshi food. Highlights is the famous 'Hilsa' fish cooked in banana leaf by the Award-winning chef Shamim Syed. Event hosted by Urmee Mazhar, Bangla TV journalist/presenter. For info/bookings contact: britbangla@britbangla.net

The BritBangla Team look forward to hearing from you and will see you at the next event!

Best Wishes

The BritBangla Team
W: www.britbangla.net
E: britbangla@britbangla.net

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Previous BritBangla Updates:

BB UPDATE 6>> Click to read
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