600 attend Wolverhampton Indian dance event

Held at the Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre on Bromley Street, Tiranga was a day of dance celebrating India's rich heritage and culture in the UK.

Now in its third year, the event, organised by the Jai Jashn Dance Group, showcased different dance traditions and regional styles, as well as contemporary dance.

Jaivant Patel of Jai Jashn Dance Group said: "Tiranga was a great success, there wasn't an empty seat in the auditorium during the performances.

"The audience turned out in full force, hopefully everyone enjoyed the variety and diversity on show.

"There was a real community feel in the air, our dancing brought people together.

"We see dance as a way of enriching the lives of people in Wolverhampton through art."

Billed as an "uplifting family-friendly event", the day also included performances by Sonia Sabri's Kathakaars, Chitraleka Dance Academy, Haripa!, Steps 8, Gabhru Panjab De, Azaad Arts, Desi Nach, as well as other independent artists and groups.

The event was supported by Arts Council England and Wolverhampton City Council.

Mr Patel added that the showcase would return in the future.

He said: "We're about bringing Indian arts to the masses.

"We don't believe in barriers, regardless of race, gender or age."

Started in 2004, the Jai Jashn Dance is a non-profit organisation led by Jaivant Patel, a graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

The group has performed at many cultural and social events across the Midlands and the rest of the country, most notably at the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony in Stratford, East London.

Jai Jashn Dance also hosts dance classes at Blakenhall Community & Healthy Living Centre every Thursday from 5-8pm, for both adults and young people.

The classes explore the dance heritage of India, where traditional rhythms meet the beats of Bollywood. Classes also reflect various contemporary dance influences from around the world.

For further details, see www.facebook.com/JaiJashnDance