Every enduring journey begins with a dream. Ours took root in 1993, when Dr Shripati Upadhyaya and Dr Geetha Upadhyaya established Kala Sangam in Leeds—a meeting point for art, people and cultures.
Its name captured its purpose: Kala, meaning “arts”, and Sangam, meaning “meeting point”, in Sanskrit. Together, these words expressed a belief that the arts could bring people together, nurture understanding and open doors to creativity for everyone.
Dance and the spoken word in the same room — the meeting point Kala Sangam was founded on, and the one its international work continues to create.
A consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Shripati had a special interest in using the arts to support people with disabilities. He envisioned an organisation that would share high-quality South Asian arts through innovative collaborations, welcoming people of every age and ability.
Alongside him, Dr Geetha—a Consultant in Metabolic Medicine and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer—brought her knowledge, artistic practice and commitment to this shared dream.
From its beginnings in Leeds, Kala Sangam moved to Bradford’s Carlisle Business Centre in 1996.
In 2007, with generous support from Arts Council England, it found a permanent home in St Peter’s House, a beautiful Grade II listed building. The restoration of this historic space gave the founders’ vision room to grow.
That journey entered a new chapter with a major refurbishment beginning in 2024. In October 2025, the building reopened as Bradford Arts Centre, with improved accessibility and expanded spaces for performance, creativity and community.
Kala Sangam Global, the international wing of Kala Sangam, carries forward the spirit of that founding vision. Its roots lie in the same conviction that inspired the organisation in 1993: that art can connect people across differences of language, culture, age and ability.
As the founders describe it, the creative seed planted more than three decades ago has grown into a mighty oak. Kala Sangam Global carries that story beyond borders—honouring its South Asian roots while embracing the possibilities that emerge when cultures meet.
At the heart of our story is a simple belief: