Oriental Arts, based at The Design Exchange in Peckover Street, Bradford, was awarded £30,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The cash will be used to uncover the history, cultural traditions and impact of South Asian music and dance of Bradford’s older generation of South Asian immigrants from the 1950s to the present day.

The grant comes soon after The Fabric of Bradford community organisation was awarded £49,700 from the fund to deliver a project on the district’s textile heritage from the 1800s onwards which will enable young people, older people, and families, who have experienced mental health problems, to discover the origins and explore the history of textiles in Bradford.

Champak Kumar Limbachia, artistic director of Oriental Arts, said: “We are delighted to receive the support from Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver this project. The heritage represents an important part of the history of Bradford and is not only important to the older generation and young British Asians but also to the City’s other diverse communities, to recognise, understand and celebrate Bradford’s rich multicultural heritage.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The South Asian Community has played an important role in Bradford’s lively and varied character. This project will uncover the rich history and cultural traditions of South Asian music and dance from the 1950s onwards, bringing together different generations to learn about this unique heritage.”

Bradford East MP David Ward (Lib Dem) said that he hoped the money would lead to some job creation and worthwhile employment.

George Galloway, the Bradford West MP (Respect), said that both organisations seemed like ideal candidates for the money.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins, (Con), said: “Cultural heritage is a large part of our community and a really big part of our city and district.”

Meanwhile, Philip Davies, the Shipley MP (Con), said that it showed the district was celebrating its heritage. “Bradford in its time was a major part of creativity in the country and we still have the textile business in the district and it is absolutely right that the Lottery is giving these organisations money,” he added.

 
Further information

Mandeep Samra
Project Manager, Oriental Arts
Mobile: 07793 047 220
Email: mandysamra@hotmail.com

Vicky Wilford
HLF Communications Manager
Phone: 0207 591 6046
Mobile: 07973 401 937
Email: vickyw@hlf.org.uk