The Pukaar band had hundreds of young carers chanting ‘Balle Balle’ at the YMCA young carers festival at Fairthorne Manor on the 2nd July 2005. The band spiced up the day by hosting a series of workshops for the children and young people, as well as evening entertainment to get a taste of what Pukaar is all about.

Over 1400 young carers from all over the UK were bought to Hampshire for a fun-filled weekend, away from family duties, and were able to learn new skills at workshops and generally having fun. The multicultural message was spread through workshops, in groups of 1-8, on the Harmonium, Tabla and Bollywood dancing. Volunteers from the band and in and around Southampton taught the workshops in the appropriate tents.

Southampton girls Amy Patel and Chandni Rayani shared the brilliant dancing skills by jumping on board the Pukaar team to help teach the Bollywood class with a song from the film ‘Taal’. They taught a series of complicated moves in a simplistic fashion, which allowed the young carers to learn some difficult techniques while having fun.

The most successful workshop was in the DJ tent. Barry Upton taught a master class to intuitive young carers, teaching them a range of skills including mixing and scratching.

Ameet’s Dohl master class went down a storm, with young carers and even their leaders joining in on the action. A leader from a young carers group in London even took to the mic for some spontaneous MCing, with Romail on the decks and Ameet on the dohl.

People of different ages and different backgrounds took part in the workshops, which not only taught them about different instruments and skills, but also about different cultures. Pukaar successfully used music to unify a number of young carers, and spread a multicultural message.

The evening’s entertainment kicked off with a series of rock bands, followed by Pukaar and Wild at Heart. The two bands sported their brand new ‘east meets west’ t-shirts, kindly designed by Martin.

Pukaar played a collection of old favourites which were followed by some party classics courtesy of Wild at Heart. Everyone was in the party mood once again by a fusion of eastern and western sounds.

When the whole Pukaar band took to the stage again, they were joined by some very special guests. The young carers, who took part in the Bollywood dancing were able to perform their newly acquired dance moves in front of the audience, which was very well received.

Pukaar continued to play upbeat Bhangra based tunes with lots of passion and energy. Much like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Romail led a swarm of children and young carers, using music as a tool to unify them around the main stage and through the crowd. They were engrossed by the ethnic party vibe Pukaar had created, and could have been heard chanting ‘Balle Balle’ all over Fairthorne Manner.

Unlike the original Pied Piper, our tale has a happy ending. Romail led the troop of children to the disco tent where they danced until midnight, ending a very memorable evening.