A new initiative is launching in the UK to support South Asian musicians and professionals in the British music industry.
It’s called Lila – Sanskrit for ‘divine play’ – and is the work of producer and entrepreneur Vikram Gudi (pictured), working with research organisation the Center for Music Ecosystems.
Lila is launching with a bang too: it’s part of the first dedicated South Asian space in the Shangri-La zone of the Glastonbury festival this June, with more than 50 hours of artists and DJs curated by the Dialled In, Going South, and Daytimers organisations.
However, Lila is planning to also conduct quantitative research and analysis of South Asian participation in the UK music industry; hold showcase events in the UK; and provide resources and support for artists and professionals.
“The idea of Lila has been in the back of my mind throughout my music career. I’ve always known that I wanted to do something more, after seeing a distinct lack of funding, initiatives and the infrastructure for South Asian musicians and music professionals,” said Gudi.
“I had few role models from my own background to look up to, and I sensed that there was more I could do in the future. There’s an overwhelming amount of South Asian talent in the UK, and we want Lila to act as an accelerator.”
Lila will also be a funding partner for DJ and broadcaster Bobby Friction’s ‘Going South’ organisation.
“Organisations like Lila are sorely needed at the moment and its timing couldn’t be better,” said Friction. “So much of the structure around charities and NGOs within the music ecosystem doesn’t focus on the British Asian music community, but Lila’s efforts for equality across the entire music industry can change that.”
