Last week, music fans flocked to the West London suburb of Southall for an epic celebration of contemporary South Asian music. Home to the largest Panjabi community outside of India, the town has long standing roots in sound system culture, bhangra and rave — a fitting location for the Boiler Room event, which took place at beloved local venue, The Centre. Boiler Room creative director Amar Ediriwira, who grew up nearby, curated a huge line-up for the occasion, including original daytimer DJ Ritu, 00s legends Panjabi Hit Squad of “Hai Hai” fame, plus young DJ Manara and artist Raf Saperra. The past and future of British South Asian music colliding in a strobe-filled room.
“Boiler Room Southall aims to celebrate Southhall’s remarkable legacy of music, migration and mobilisation across generations,” Amar said ahead of the event. “Following the partition of India, many South Asian immigrants found a home in the West London suburb thanks to its local factories and proximity to Heathrow Airport. It eventually grew to have the largest Panjabi community outside of the subcontinent, dubbed ‘Little India’ or ‘Little Panjab’. In the 70s, Southhall became a key battleground for the anti-racist movement following a series of murders by white racists and the police. Reggae dances were integral to this struggle, building ties between South Asian and Black populations, and imprinting sound system culture onto the suburb’s DNA. Simultaneously, Southall emerged as a key site for the growth of bhangra as well as the day time raves that enabled rebellious South Asian kids to listen to club music unbeknownst to their parents. This soundtrack of dub, bhangra, rave and the beats in between still runs through the town and the many classic BMWs that cruise its streets.”
With the rise and rise of the South Asian Underground giving us collectives like Daytimers and events including Dialled In, this night couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. “It’s set to be a historic night in Southall; a mashup of sound system culture, bhangra, bootlegs, modified cars, fashion, community pride and the diaspora in all of its beauty,” Amar added.
We sent photographer India Bharadwaj along to document some of the best dressed people in attendance and find out what Southall means to them.
Sukhchain, 29, Luton
What do you do? I’m a fashion designer. What does Southall mean to you? It’s where the culture is — Panjab away from Panjab. The future of South Asian music is… Panjabi.
Harveen, 27, Nairobi
What do you do? Policy. Why did you come here tonight? I grew up down the road — ENDS. Who are you excited to see perform? I’m here for Southall. The future of South Asian music is… classical and drum & bass.
Anhad, 23, West London
What do you do? Compliance. Why did you come here tonight? For the scene. What does Southall mean to you? Home. The first place to take people when they come from abroad. Who are you excited to see perform? Manj. The future of South Asian music is… House and alternative.
Arif, 29, Bangladesh
What do you do? Analyst / stylist. Why did you come here tonight? To turn up. What does Southall mean to you? I feel at home here. Who are you excited to see perform? Manara – legends in the game. The future of South Asian music is… Young Singh and the community.
Faz, 26, London
What do you do? Project Manager. What does Southall mean to you? SA Energy. Who are you excited to see? Punjabi Hit Squad. The future of South Asian music is… growth.
Hank, 27, Glasgow
What do you do? Artist and tooth gem slag. Why did you come here tonight? To be around South Asian folk. What does Southall mean to you? It’s my first time here — it’s so nice being somewhere everyone looks like me. Who are you excited to see perform? Punjabi Hit Squad. The future of South Asian music is… beautiful.
Hridika, 23, Buckinghamshire
What do you do? Journalist, model. Why did you come here tonight? To film. What does Southall mean to you? Home, family, culture. It’s where I grew up and it’s my roots. Who are you excited to see perform? Raf. The future of South Asian music is… evolving.
Aaks, 29, North London
What do you do? Creative. Why did you come here tonight? To be around my community. What does Southall mean to you? It’s a melting pot of people and I feel free to be me. Wo are you excited to see perform? Vedic South System. The future of South Asian music is… genre-bending.
Arsh, 26, Hayes
What do you do? Teacher. Why did you come here tonight? To celebrate Southall. What does Southall mean to you? Home. Who are you excited to see perform? Raf. The future of South Asian music is… Manara.
Parmjeet, 23, London
What do you do? Model. Why did you come here tonight? To party hard. What does Southall mean to you? Bloody culture. The future of South Asian music is… us!
Nadine, 34, Glasgow
What do you do? Nightlife worker. Why did you come here tonight? To dance. What’s so special about Southall? It’s not gentrified. Who are you excited to see perform? Punjabi Hit Squad, Manara, DJ Ritu. The future of South Asian music is… boundless.
Kunal, 26, Leicester
What do you do? I’m a photographer. Why did you come here tonight? To see a historic event. What does Southall mean to you? It’s a centre of community for so many people. Who are you excited to see perform? Everyone. The line-up is stacked.
Credits
Photography India Bharadwaj