South Asian Artist Virtual Event Network

South Asian Artist Virtual Event Network

Aarti Shah who is an actor, radio presenter and is the founder known as South Asian Artist. She was setting up in May, 2020.

The South Asian Artist is for networking and support creative artists such as film/tv shows, music/ singer/rapper/play instrumental/composer/song-writer, dancer, actor, poetry, creative writer, playwright, photographer, visual artists, graphics designer and much more.

Here’s some thoughts from the creator of South Asian Artists - "The reason behind setting up South Asian Artists was to find another way to represent artists/ creatives of South Asian Heritage due to the lack of representation that there already is. There is a lot of hidden and undiscovered talent within the South Asian Community and it’s important that this talent is shown and discovered. It’s important as firstly these are our lives and we want to show the world what we do and have that opportunity to express these talents. But also, representation is so important for many reasons. Some of these are to portray an accurate representation of the society that we live in and so that we are able to tell our stories through our lens compared to just one lens. It’s important we see ourselves represented as it makes us feel appreciated, validated and important in the society that we live in.

Seeing accurate representation allows for more open mindedness in our society, the opportunity to change people’s mind, biases, and perspectives on the world. It allows deeper connections to form as human begins and more education about different cultures and paths of lives. I also felt that it was important see that set up South Asian Artists as I did not really see many platforms out there that connected, supported and championed each other (not to say that there are none out there) but I was struggling to find many at the beginning of lockdown. I wanted to find a way to connect us all more and a way to support each other, as we are all in similar boats in this industry and it’s important to share our stories and experiences with each other. It creates that relatability and sense of unity with one another. I do truly believe that we are stronger together and have a bigger impact in improving representation when we come together and empower each other. When one of us rises, we all rise."

Basically, I was on my phone using an app called ‘Twitter’, I was just scrolling down lots of post tweet feed, just to see what’s happening and then suddenly a random shows up South Asian Artist, notification, and I was like ‘ok’ I just be nosey to check it out and seems really keen me so I though, ‘AHH’, why not I jump in and see what was it like. That’s how I know about it. The date I was in which was on the 25th and 27th February 2021. When I attended the session, there were loads and loads of people that got my eyes opened wisely, literally I felt like ‘OH SHIT’ in an amazingly surprise way which was a perfect as I didn’t expected at all. A big thank to an event was organised by Priya Fox. What an amazing bunch of people. Creative artists from South Asia. I really enjoyed listening to their stories. I’m glad I was able to share my story too. It was an incredibly phenomenal experience. I’m so glad I found and joined this group. This was made my day.

That was a really good experience for me to join them as I get to see what it like and how I interact with them because whole my life, I know I have went out with my family/friends for trip, catch up, events BUT every time I go for my work I never had see to be with any South Asian to work with before which was new to me and good opportunity to try and engage with them, however I’m glad that I met them all, so finger cross that one day I will be able to work with them.

After the session ended, I have met loads of different creative artists through a virtual networking event via online Zoom, as that was a real eyeopener for me as because one day, my own project that I will be working on and I would LOVE to work/collaborate with a lot more Asian people. That’s what my goal is and my aim for what I want to do in the future.

Film/tv shows, music series

I’ve had lots of different varieties of skills that I am able to use, depending on the project for me to be a part of. Or I could do my own work. I’ve seen many people have their own incredible talents, however I have seen a small number South Asian people on British film/tv shows and Music series which is a big gap meaning not many of them.

Bollywood

Since I was little, I used to watch films/TV shows which was known as ‘Bollywood’ there are so many incredible Asian people in the film/TV Show.

I think it’s adequate not seeing Asian people in British Film/TV Shows, Music. My hope is that this will change and will expand more to see South Asian people to be seen on British film/tv show/Music in the future.