Nevertheless, we really did sort out this “chair” thing. It was an important moment and I can assure you that all present were sober and without any chemical or other encouragement. And as far as I can ascertain: sane. A further two hours later, with heated, interesting conversation and some debate, we all agreed. We were in sync and were friends.

I walked out with a smile. I was an existentialist. The icing on this cake was that I could spell it correctly. What is surprising is that thirty years down the line, I still can. (Sorry Spell-Check).

Sometimes, even with the everyday things: it is good to know. And this is where The Southall Story comes in.

I do not need to bore you with the problems of… ‘Modern life.’ I am sure that you are all experts.

As time passes by (sometimes, it gallops by and you wonder why you are staring at it’s slipstream). At times, we all forget. Sometimes we put things away. It is all part of life, our lives.

The worrying aspect of modern life is when we encounter that feeling of emptiness; of a void, of something missing, it is all too easy to “hit the bottle” or indulge in other unsafe practices.

Even easier: buy something! Some call this retail ‘therapy.’ Doing what I do, I would be a little concerned about the use of the word ‘therapy.’ Often, it is all too convenient to define ourselves by what we buy. Also in this dismal league is a person being defined by ones job or employment.

Where is The I, or The Me in this??

The Southall Story is a concoction that contains no alcohol, chemicals, additives, or any unnatural elements. What you will find is an abundance of added colour and a lot more.

See it as a wake-up call. Perhaps, a first step on the ladder out of that inevitable pit. In case you are wondering: as I write this, yes, I am on my comfortable chair…

Ammy Phull

I imagine that people visiting this site will probably want to hear some of the sounds that we locals are more than familiar with: Broadway traffic, bustling shops, bhangra music from CD shops, Gurudwara loudspeakers, Masjid crowds, Mandirs etc.

Anyone have any ideas about what else I could record?

Kuljit Bhambra

The Southall Story will have an exhibition there for a month commencing 6th April 2010 – come to the launch party that evening! (More details to follow soon under News & Events).

Our proposal is to create a ‘time tunnel journey’ – we wish visitors to be able to walk through and experience the Southall decades starting 1950 to the present. As you walk through a series of living rooms, you will notice how fashion, communications and living styles have changed over the past 70 years.

Archive photographs showing famous landmarks and various other images will be on display, and you will even be able to record your own story in a recording booth! During the launch weekend (6-11 April) various guest stars and artists will perform impromptu sets..we hope to have Mohinder Kaur Bhamra (female bhangra pioneer), Premi & Heera alongside other well known celebrities including Gurinder Chadha…very exciting!!

Kuljit Bhamra

The London community of Southall has made a phenomenal but under acknowledged contribution to UK music, arts and politics. By the mid 1970s its record shops became not only source of a fabulous range of South Asian music but also key social gathering places. The riots of 1979 released a new freedom and confidence among young Brit Asians and encouraged the flowering of Bhangra: a musical fusion that spread from the corner shops to massive international popularity. A screening of For the Record: the social life of Indian vinyl in Southall (Dir, Kuldip Powar 2008) is followed by an insightful and inspiring celebrity discussion chaired by composer/producer Kuljit Bhamra, exploring the story of Southall through its remarkable musical history. Plus a foyer exhibition of photographs, Indian musical instruments and bookstalls.

Wed 17th June 2009  6.30pm and 9.00pm

Conference Centre, The British Library
96 Euston Road, London NW1

£6 / £4 concessions
Tickets available at:

Online Box Office http://boxoffice.bl.uk

By Telephone 01937 546546 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

In person from The British Library Information Desk

Please feel free to contribute to the Blog and look out for postings of events and festivals that The Southall Story project is bringing to the public this year alone!

Our events so far include the launch of the project on 24th April at the Dominion Centre. Attendance is with invitation only.

Wednesday 17 June at the British Library, The Southall Story brings to the public an event entitled ‘Music and Life’ between 6.30 and 9.00

The London community of Southall has made a phenomenal but under acknowledged contribution to UK music, arts and politics. By the mid 1970s its record shops became not only source of a fabulous range of South Asian music but also key social gathering places. The riots of 1979 released a new freedom and confidence among young Brit Asians and encouraged the flowering of Bhangra: a musical fusion that spread from the corner shops to massive international popularity. A screening of For the Record: the social life of Indian vinyl in Southall (Dir, Kuldip Powar 2008) is followed by an insightful and inspiring celebrity discussion chaired by composer/producer Kuljit Bhamra, exploring the story of Southall through its remarkable musical history. Plus a foyer exhibition of photographs, Indian musical instruments and bookstalls.

In November 2009, The Southall Story has been invited by the South Bank Centre to work with them to create a three day mini festival that includes music, comedy and poetry. We will announce more details as the details become clearer.

The Southall Story looks forward to an active dialogue with you! To comment just starting typing below….

If you would like to actively contribute regular blogs here get in touch with us.