As part of the White Rose mission to India with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Yorkshire creatives were out in force - representing a fantastic creative and cultural offering for trade, investment, and partnership between the two countries.
Leeds Conservatoire Vice Principal Patsy Gilbert
Ahead of the White Rose mission, Vice Principal Patsy Gilbert, who represented Leeds Conservatoire, shared the following: “I am always exceptionally proud of the work of Leeds Conservatoire and the world-class music and drama provision we provide in the North of England for the rest of the world - and I can't wait to share this with new connections, as well as all the wonderful cultural offerings, creative enterprise and talent available across West Yorkshire.
“Most of all I am so eager to learn from organisations and companies and how they are developing creativity in their own areas and what we can continue to grow and develop together.”
Visit to Ramoji Film City. Image courtesy of West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Patsy connected with music and drama educationalists and artists - exploring joint models of national training and touring artists and teacher exchanges.
For example, Global Music Institute (GMI) in Noida offers unique facilities for music training in the city. Leeds Conservatoire has a strong relationship with GMI already and discussion centred around how both organisations can be ambitious and forward thinking in what comes next for contemporary music across respective countries.
At Annapurna College of Film and Media, members of the creative White Rose mission saw the incredible training the college offers within a working film studio set up. In addition to watching films by former students, they witnessed the college’s mocap floor (the largest in India) in motion. Multiple opportunities were discussed including mentorship, support between networks such as Screen Yorkshire and sharing of film and screen composition, production, and design.
Patsy had the pleasure of catching up with Leeds Conservatoire Music Production graduate Rahul Allam who, in addition to teaching at the college, has set up Akshaya Studios in Hyderabad and is now embarking on a record label.
A session facilitated by the British Council in Delhi, enabled members of Yorkshire Universities to meet with representatives of higher education institutions in India to discuss how to maximise on the UK-India free trade agreement; with topics including industry led learning and transferable skills.
Ramoji Film City, the largest film studio complex in the world with over 360,000 sq. ft. of sound stages, gave an incredible insight into how films are made in India. The world of film composition, sound design and engineering were of particular interest in Patsy’s discussions with the complex’s founder and team. Deputy High Commissioner Sutapa Choudhury spoke during this visit and shared her support for the White Rose mission in India.
Finally, Patsy met musician, performer, and music educator Nush Lewis. Nush’s experiences of being a recording and touring artist, an educator who has set up her own company, OffSet Education, and her involvement in the development and co-ordination of Abbey Road Institute Mumbai provided invaluable insights into music education and what is currently available.
Leeds Conservatoire has a global outlook, and the White Rose mission provided an excellent opportunity to make and maximise connections in India.
Reflecting on the White Rose mission, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Yorkshire and India are old friends. You see it at Headingley, where a 19-year-old Sachin Tendulkar became our first overseas player. You see it in the mills where families who came from India kept our textile industry going; in the Indian restaurants on our high streets; in the Diwali celebrations in our towns and cities; and in the thousands of Indian students who choose our universities every year.
“More than 80,000 people of Indian heritage call Yorkshire home. They are part of the fabric of our great county. I want them – and every Indian business, student and visitor thinking of coming here – to know they are valued, welcome, and safe in Yorkshire.
“This trade mission is about turning that old friendship into new economic opportunity. With the free trade deal now in force, and with Indian businesses creating hundreds of good jobs here in West Yorkshire, now is the time to build on that momentum, back our importing and exporting businesses, and ensure the benefits of good growth are felt in every postcode.”
