Bhangra as a music form
Bhangra is the fastest growing music form currently in the world music market. A fusion of Asian and Western rhythms, Bhangra is being exploited all over the world in Europe, North America and recently the Far East. A music form, which was brought to the United Kingdom from India by the first generation of immigrants, has been transformed by third generation South Asians into the most explosive Indian - British music phenomena - one such exponent is Achanak. Born in the autumn of 1989, Achanak a six piece band who have reached the upper echleons of the Bhangra industry. An image driven band with powerful and ground breaking production skills (and numerous pop videos to date) have attracted international television exposure : DEF II (BBC2), Central TV, Network East (BBC2), Sky TV, MTV, Bhangra girls (BBC2), Eastern Mix, Zee TV, Channel East, Avanti TV (Welsh) B4U in addition to Japanese and French TV.

Emanating from the Midlands, which is now accepted as the heartland of bhangra - Achanak have been viewed as one of the leading exponents of 'New Wave Bhangra' which is a fusion of traditional vocals and energetic western dance rhythms. Having performed in Europe and in the UK with many of the leading mainstream acts (eg Brockwell Park - Anti Nazi League) Achanak are seen as the leading players in the ever growing European market. With a live act that involves an exciting dance crew, Achanak are more than just an excellent live musical band.

Achanak, whilst being a premier bhangra band, are a multi facet band. Amongst their chart selling bhangra albums, Achanak have also produced a critically acclaimed spiritual album (Have Faith) which has encapsulated the essences of all religions of the world. The album combined all the elements associated with the leading religions, and amalgamated these with the contemporary musical sounds currently in vogue. The success of this project has led the band to perform at various religious festivals including the various Sikh festivals that occur throughout the year. The band was recognised for donating all the proceeds to 'The Great Ormond Street Hospital' which, included coverage on local TV networks.

Achanak are also well known for incorporating social, economic and political issues of the day. One such issue was the imposition of the poll tax by the Thatcher administration which, directly affected the asian community. To reinforce the retrogressive nature of the tax, Achanak hired the 'spitting image' set of impressionists who successfully mimicked the voices of the leading cabinet ministers of the day. On the eve of the release of the album, the premier was forced to resign. The band would like to think that they may have played a key role in this event.(sic)

Current projects:
With the current fantastic success of Code Red -Achanak are now performing from their new release -4 play - which takes their music to a higher level and encapsulates their live musical experiences on the mainstream circuit. Having conquered the bhangra live circuit, Achanak have been progressivley penetrating the festival circuit, with the year 2001/2 having been the most successful, with an extensive tour of the UK festival circuit covering all areas of the UK from the Golowan Festival (Cornwall), the Swiesen Festival (Wales) to the Womad festival in the North. The band has been re-invited to the Hastings festival and the success of the band at the Orient festival took the band to the front pages of the biggest selling newspaper Dagens Nyheter (see press cuttings) in which the band was recognised to have been the best live performers at the Orient Festival. This was also repeated by the Hastings press who also regarded the band as the most 'entertaining band at the festival'. At the Golowan festival the band was cited as the best at the festival ever. Their success has been recognised by the Womex jury who have invited Achanak to perform at the Womex festival at Essen. This follows a very successful tour of Germany at the Heimatklange Festival in July. November witnesses Achanak in Norway and plans are furiously in place for an extensive World tour in 2003.

Achanak's albums to date :
NACHurally platinum, paNACHe platinum, sigNACHure double platinum, Have Faith spiritual album, SNACH double platinum, top-NACH platinum, Q the Music platinum, Full Contact platinum,
Code Red platinum, New release : 4 play out now !!!

Current dates :
Achanak are currently touring extensively throughout the UK and overseas showcasing the new album.
Dates include : Golowan Festival, Hastings Festival (see press reviews), Bradford Festival, World Rhythms Festival (London),
Sesiwn Fawr Festivals (Sponsored by TV performing with the Levellers), Burnley Mechanics, Beverely Saturday Festival, World Music Festival (Hartlepool Reading Festival amongst others).

Band members :
Vijay Bhatti - lead vocals
K' Tura - Dhol and Dholak (percussion)
Nick Chawalia - Keyboards
Kamaljit Manku - Bass
Bobby - Drums
Ninder Johal - Tabla (percussion)

Contact :
Nachural Records
PO Box 2656 Smethwick Warley West Midlands B66 4JF
Tel : 0044 121 434 3795
Fax : 00 44 121 558 2331
Mobile number : 0374 116545
E mail : ninder.johal@nachural.co.uk