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KGF Files 2- Kolar Gold Fields and Cornwall
Exploring a shared history through the arts
Speakers
Cornwall, UK is a place shaped by its mining heritage. The emigration of Cornish miner’s around the world is well documented, but until recently, little was known of Cornish miner’s role in KGF’s economic and social history. In 2019 musicians from Cornish band The Rowan Tree discovered this overlooked part of history. They began working with historians and musicians in KGF, Bangalore and Cornwall to tell the forgotten stories of this time. The Kolar’s Gold project lasted a year and involved over 200 individuals and 60 musicians from Cornwall, India and elsewhere in the world.
In this discussion moderated by Shrabonti Bagchi, musicians Laura Garcia, Tom Fosten and Richard Trethewey explore ‘Kolar’s Gold’; how the project came into being, the history and stories it unearthed, the similarities and differences between the European and Indian communities, the complexities of working creatively across continents and cultures, and what they hope the legacy of the project will be.
Speakers
Laura Garcia
Laura Garcia studied music at University before training as a teacher. She is a member of Cornish band The Rowan Tree, who have won awards for their work promoting Cornish music and culture. These days she juggles teaching, motherhood and music and satisfies her passion for history as an author of historical fiction.
Tom Fosten
Tom Fosten lives in Norwich, where he works as a grant writer for an international charity. He performs with a wide range of musicians on the Norwich music scene and in Cornwall as a member of The Rowan Tree. Tom studied History at University and is currently writing his debut novel.
Richard Trethewey
Richard Trethewey is a Music Therapist who performs with many bands in Cornwall including The Rowan Tree. An established member of the Cornish music scene, Richard is passionate about exploring Cornwall’s culture and heritage through a range of projects. In 2020 he was made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh for promoting Cornwall through music.
Shrabonti Bagchi
Shrabonti Bagchi is National Features Editor at Mint, where she writes on books, arts and culture, and the intersection of technology and society.
