South Asians have been historically underrepresented in UK electronic music. Despite the fact that over 6.9% of the UK population identifies as South Asian, most listeners' experience of Desi music (a term used to describe Indians, Bengalis, Pakistani and Sri Lankans) is restricted to a handful of cliches. ​​Or as British Pakistani DJ and producer Manara puts it: “A lot of non-Desis are surprised our music has more to it than “Mundian To Bach Ke” by Punjabi MC”. An experienced radio and club DJ, since 2020 she’s hosted her own show on BBC Radio, “Pure Spice” which acts as a helpful introduction to her cross-cultural, genre-blending style. The South Londoner also has historical ties to a pair of forward-thinking labels in Night Slugs and Fade To Mind, and her sets are full of homemade blends and remixes - from Destiny’s Child set to d’n’b and pitched up Linkin Park - as well as Bollywood themes, UK grime and garage, classic rap and hip-hop… in her words, anything that “bangs”. If the melting-pot has a sound, Manara might just be it.