The young founder of a Manchester-based magazine for South Asian creatives brought artists and performers from all over the UK together at a networking open mic in Oldham.
Dozens of creators gathered at Tammy’s Lounge last Saturday for the first of its kind event allowing local creatives to spotlight their work and amplify their voices.
The celebration was hosted by Ayman J Sabir, 22, the multidisciplinary creative director and founder of Samajh My Gal (understand my point), a magazine created to celebrate dual-heritage and highlight the art of South Asian creatives across the UK.
A poet in her own right, Ayman had been posting her work on social media for three years, where she had gathered a large audience of followers, before deciding to follow through on her idea for Samajh My Gal.
She said: “We got funded at the start of this year from another organisation in Oldham called Peshka and it just snowballed out of control. I didn’t expect that I’d be doing stuff like this.”
The event was supported by Cultureword, a creative writing development organisation that supports emerging writers across Greater Manchester and prioritises community development through the medium of creative writing.
Cultureword Artistic Director Radhaika Kapur said: “It was a really brilliant, beautiful event. Ayman did superbly with the hosting.
“Some really outstanding performers, people have come and shared for the first time, which I think goes to show the kind of welcoming space that we have.”
Among those performing was 19-year-old singer and songwriter, Reyna Kaur, who got the audience clapping and singing along to one of her original pieces.
Reyna said: “Everything was incredible. Amazing audience. Being South Asian myself, coming to this event it’s like, oh my goodness, these people are my people.
“Because I’m not Indian enough to be fully Indian and then I’m not British enough to be fully British.”
Following her success with events like the open mic she said: “The end goal is to become a pop star sensation around the whole world.”
The event also provided an opportunity for networking with complementary hot chai and fresh samosas.
Actor and musician Hamza Medley, 31, who also performed at the event described how he felt his first spoken word poetry was received.
“The audience was very receptive. It’s nice to hear nice things about your work and things you’re passionate about.”
About his inspiration for his rap on the Partition of India he said: “I was very close to my grandmother, and when she got dementia I was in my early 20s, she started seeing and experiencing things from Partition again. She’d make that journey.
“I had no understanding of it before, and then from learning her story, I just learned a lot more about myself.
“Partition is just a big part of my history. There’s a lot of projects that I’m currently developing that are in line with Partition.”
Attendees of the event were the first to hear about the month-long call for submission of the magazine’s latest edition for the theme ‘Almost Ours’.
The theme will encourage viewers and contributors to use a variety of art mediums fit for a magazine to explore how old stories, ancient songs and customs shape the diaspora in its current state collectively and individually.
Ayman, who organised the event during South Asian heritage month, revealed that more updates and surprises will be announced over the coming weeks.
“There’s gonna be a more inspirational environment we’re gonna really create. I’ve got so many ideas for events that haven’t been done before.
“I can’t really say much about it at the moment but definitely it’ll be all on our socials.”
About the success of the event, she said: “It’s gone well and people have enjoyed it.
“It’s really proven to me that this is what we need to be doing now more for the magazine, for the community and whilst the flame is still alight, just to keep feeding it with wood.”
The magazine is available in print and online and can be purchased via the SamajhMyGal website.
To find out more and contribute to this edition of Samajh My Gal you can follow along on both Instagram and Tiktok.
Main image courtesy of SamajhMyGal and Aaminah.edits
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