Kuljit Bhamra is a renowned British-Indian musician, composer, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on 24th March 1959 in Nairobi, Kenya, Kuljit Bhamra moved to the UK with his family when he was just a year old. He grew up in Southall, West London, which was a hub for the Indian community in the UK. His parents were both music lovers, and his father played the tabla, a traditional Indian percussion instrument. Kuljit Bhamra was exposed to Indian classical music from a young age and started learning the tabla when he was just six years old. Kuljit Bhamra's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a proficient tabla player. He was also interested in other forms of music, including jazz, rock, and pop. He started playing in local bands and soon became a sought-after musician in the UK's Asian music scene. In the early 1980s, he formed his own band, the Keda Music Ensemble, which blended Indian classical music with jazz and funk. Kuljit Bhamra's breakthrough came in 1985 when he was commissioned to compose the music for the National Theatre's production of "The Black Album" by Hanif Kureishi. The play was a critical and commercial success, and Kuljit Bhamra's music received widespread acclaim. This led to more commissions, and he went on to compose music for several other theatre productions, including "East is East" and "Bollywood Jane." In addition to his work in theatre, Kuljit Bhamra has also composed music for film and television. He has worked on several Bollywood films, including "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride and Prejudice." He has also composed music for TV shows such as "The Kumars at No. 42" and "Goodness Gracious Me." Kuljit Bhamra's talent as a musician and composer has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1999, he was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to bhangra music. In 2004, he was awarded the Arts Council England's prestigious "Changing Stages" award for his contribution to theatre music. He has also been nominated for several other awards, including the Mercury Music Prize and the Olivier Award. One of Kuljit Bhamra's most significant contributions to classical music is his work in creating a new genre of music called "bhangra." Bhangra is a fusion of traditional Punjabi folk music with Western pop and rock music. Kuljit Bhamra was one of the pioneers of this genre and has been instrumental in popularizing it in the UK and around the world. He has produced several albums of bhangra music, including "Bhangra Fever" and "Bhangra Beats." Kuljit Bhamra's talent as a musician and composer has also led to collaborations with several other artists. He has worked with musicians such as George Harrison, Peter Gabriel, and Jeff Beck. He has also collaborated with classical musicians, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Kuljit Bhamra's most memorable performances was at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony. He was part of a group of musicians who performed a medley of British pop songs, including "Hey Jude" by The Beatles and "Wonderwall" by Oasis. The performance was watched by millions of people around the world and was widely praised for its energy and creativity. In addition to his work as a musician and composer, Kuljit Bhamra is also a respected educator.

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