Looking back on Mughal Miniatures: The Encampment at Birmingham Weekender 2024
On the 24th of August 2024, Sonia Sabri Company proudly presented nine memorable performances from the Mughal Miniatures franchise in Birmingham as part of an elegant royal encampment! This was for the Birmingham Weekender, an annual arts festival hosted in the city centre, produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in collaboration with Bullring and Grand Central.
The site of Mughal Miniature magic was the popular 1000 Trades Square, located directly outside of New Street train station. This meant travellers and shoppers from all over were able to step into the beautiful world inspired by miniature paintings from the Mughal period, and be enchanted by all the characters; from deer, elephant, and peacocks to drummers and royalty! These characters had been roaming throughout the UK all summer long and there was no better place to rest than the city where Mughal Miniatures was envisaged and brought to life.
Fourteen artists joyfully performed throughout the day for an audience of six thousand, spreading the love of the arts and inspiring many with the stories intricately woven into each show through choice of music and choreography. The artistic talent and rigour of Sonia Sabri, the Artistic Director, and Sarvar Sabri, the Musical Director, of Sonia Sabri Company, was evident in the meticulous attention to detail not only in the execution of all nine brilliant performances, but extending beyond, into the design of the encampment.
The 1000 Trades Square transformed overnight into a fascinating snapshot of the Mughal era, bringing to life the beauty depicted in the miniature paintings of the time. Flower garlands adorned the otherwise mundane street furniture, and tents and stages decorated the entire space, immersing the public into an exquisite experience of rich art and culture. These tents were inspired by magnificent ‘tent-cities’, popular during the Mughal Empire (1526 – 1857), and frequently used by Mughal emperors. Royals would reside in these grand tents as they travelled to the edges of their empires for battles, hunting parties, and expeditions. The lavish and majestic encampments, sometimes miles wide and often richly decorated, boasted of the abundant Mughal wealth, both monetary and cultural. Similarly, Sonia Sabri Company organised an admirable display of art, dance, and music from ancient Persia and the Indian Subcontinent, but with a fun and contemporary twist!
The Imperial household would often enjoy art, music, and dance in their ‘tent-cities’ while travelling, alongside attending to royal business. Inspired by this, the Mughal Miniature encampment hosted a Qawwali Tent and Sukoon Tent for audiences to enjoy and relish the sounds and sights inspired by the Mughal Empire. Live Qawwali music in the Qawwali tent was an incredibly intimate yet powerful experience for audiences, providing an opportunity to engage with skilful South Asian music in such close proximity. Instruments used included the harmonium and upbeat percussion instruments, such as the Tabla. The bold ensemble singing was also accompanied by rhythmic clapping from both performers and audience members, who allowed the high energy musical experience to transport them out of Birmingham and into a world influenced by the Mughals.
The Sukoon Tent was an alternative experience; where the Qawwali Tent delivered a lively and soulful musical piece for audiences, the Sukoon Tent offered a moment of calm. It acted as an escape from the hubbub of the busy city centre, providing a tranquil and mesmerising space. The decoration allowed for audiences to rest and reflect on the beauty of nature through the eyes of ancient Indian and Persian Miniature painters. The contrast between the Sukoon Tent and the dance performances; Scene 1: The Awakening; Scene 2: Animal Paradise, and the walkabouts involving a princess, peacock, elephant, and drummer ensured audiences were constantly surprised and absorbed by the Mughal Miniatures.
The vibrant performances, targeted for family audiences, created captivating visuals and live enactments inspired by the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature paintings. Performers in sumptuous costumes celebrated the rich culture of the Mughal Empire. The unique, scalable festival experience proved as a cornucopia of delights for all the senses, incorporating dance, music, puppetry, and visual arts and craft, all within a gorgeous encampment. The tents used to create the visceral experience for audiences were reference to the nomadic past of Persia and present nomadic cultures in the Emirates, Kashmir, Jammu, and Pakistan.
The summer of 2024, however, was an incredibly devastating time for ethnic minorities as a wave of racist and anti-immigration violence rampaged the UK. This hateful narrative was fuelled by misinformation online and in the media, causing divides between communities and alienating people of colour. Sonia Sabri Company’s core values focus on sharing South Asian arts and culture globally, and uniting communities, celebrating similarities and differences alike, and giving a voice to those who are silenced. These sentiments drove the production of Mughal Miniatures. The aesthetic, feel-good shows within this franchise, performed in the heart of communities, challenge stereotypes, particularly of Islamic communities. An aim is to help audiences understand individuals are more complex than what is portrayed online and in the press.
Mughal Miniatures is a celebration of such communities, heritages, and cultures, but also of the rich, dynamic, and diverse culture within the UK, which would cease to exist without the contributions of the same. The performances in the franchise act as positive interventions in a variety of locations including city centres, high streets, community centres, parks and playgrounds. Passersby stumble upon them, often by chance, but come away having experienced a positive and transforming message.
Overall, the enormous success of Sonia Sabri Company’s pilot encampment at the Birmingham Weekender 2024 far surpassed expectations beyond what could have been imagined during initial developments of the very first Mughal Miniatures show. This experience demonstrated how beautifully the characters and themes of the productions speak to one another, as well as informing how well audiences engage with the added depth of experience from the live music, peaceful dwelling spaces, and accompanying art.
Photo credits: Reel Master Production