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U.K LONDON Kendra
On February 16, 2025, the London Kendra paid rich tributes to the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain. He was remembered by many individuals and organisers of events who had known Zakir bhai and his work for many decades.
People who spoke on his immeasurable contribution to music were Vibhakar Baxi, Yavar Abbas, Viram Jasani, Ayub Aulia (Zakir’s brother-in-law), Nandakumara, Khurshid Aulia (Zakir’s elder sister) and Jay Visvadeva. All of them narrated how Zakir Hussain enthralled the audience through his characteristic performances and also how he inspired and encouraged youngsters to take up classical music.
The event concluded with a short bhajan by students of Vidushi Chandrima Misra and a tribute on tabla by Pandit Rajkumar Misra and his students.
U.K LONDON Kendra
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, held its annual Founder’s Day celebrations on January 25-26, 2025. As the largest organisation for Indian classical arts in the UK, The Bhavan has over 700 students who train with the resident teachers across 16 courses in music, dance, and languages each year. The event showcased the very best from each department.
Founder’s Day was a memorable experience for both performers and the audience. Students from classical dance, music, instrumental, and language courses displayed their talent and dedication on stage. The performances included Carnatic Vocal, Hindustani Vocal, Bengali music, Sitar and Tabla, Flute melodies, and Mridangam, Veena and Violin interplays, along with the intricate rhythms of Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam.
The Chief Guest at the event for the first day was Shri Sunil Raj, Minister (Audit) at the High Commission of India, and his colleague, Shri Kapil Dev, Minister (Public Diplomacy), was the Guest of Honour. They spoke about the importance of gurus (teachers) in one’s life and commended The Bhavan for preserving the Guru-Shishya Parampara(teacher-student tradition) through its focus on art.
On the second day, Dr. Radha Bhat, Bhavan’s Sanskrit teacher and consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, was the Guest of Honour. Ms. Akshata Murty Sunak, Indian businesswoman and wife of former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak M.P., graced the event as the Chief Guest. She shared her fond memories of The Bhavan, describing it as a home away from home—a place to grow, and bask in art and culture.
Republic Day Celebration
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, marked India’s 76th Republic Day with a grand celebration with His Excellency Shri. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India, as the Chief Guest of Honour. Other esteemed dignitaries present were Lord Dholakia OBE DL, MP Barry Gardiner, Deputy Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham Councillor Daryl Brown, Lady Dholakia and Vinod Thakrar, Bhavan’s Trustee and Head, Marketing Sub-committee.
Bhavan’s students and teachers showcased the very best of Indian cultural heritage in the form of patriotic songs and dances evoking national pride, unity, and reverence for the country’s history, culture, and freedom struggles. The evening also featured inspiring speeches from the distinguished guests.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Bhavan London celebrated India’s Independence Day with a grand event on August 7, 2024 with illuminating speeches by guests and cultural performances marking the 78th anniversary of India gaining Independence.
The Chief Guest, H.E Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India spoke about India and her journey through the years. He said “It has been Bhavan’s service to the communities in the UK that has made the High Commission’s job representing India easier”. The Bhavan represents what India stands for. He added it is an inspiring institution that is doing an excellent job for the diaspora.
The audience were then treated to patriotic songs and dances by the Bhavan students.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Bhavan, London celebrated International World Dance Day on April 27 and 28, 2024.
The event saw performances by dancers and dance schools from across England. It brought together dancers of all age groups starting from 8–10-years to dancers of a more mature age. There were dancers who had performed previously at The Bhavan as also debutantes.
On the first day, the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, Councillor Patricia Quigley, graced the occasion with her presence. The first day saw performances from Natyakshetra School, Vidya Shyam Vetrivel and team, Arthi’s Kalalayam, Bhadram School of Dance, Samarpana Classical Arts, Dr Priyanka Balachandar and team, Edgware Dance Group over-50s, Ahana Ghosh Sikka Dance Team, Natyasri Dance Company, Ponsita School of Dance, Nikkan Dance Academy, Edinburgh, and Urja Performance Team.
On the second day, Team Annam, Sarjan Nartan Academy, Team Anubhava, Noopur Dutta and Team, Nital Dance, Satyam School of Dance and Music, Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam teams from The Bhavan, Asmitha Keer and Team, and Indradhanush Kids Academy put up performances.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Bhavan opened its doors to youth artists from all over England to perform on the Bhavan stage. After receiving many proposals, the Kendra zeroed in on a total of 18 groups, all young artists and practitioners of Indian Classical dance and music genres.
The event saw the emerging talent in Indian Classical Arts across dance and music genres—Instrumental, Carnatic and Hindustani styles, as well as fusion with Western instruments. In dance, stunning choreographies in Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, as well a folk-classical fusion were witnessed. It was heart-warming to see so many youngsters with such creativity and talent as well as their hard work and dedication to bring their art forms in a breath-taking display on stage. There was variety and uniqueness in the concept, choreography, costumes, and the use of stage.
The teams who performed were: Sitar Team, The Bhavan, Sangeet Prabhat Ensemble, Yagna Ensemble, Sai Mayur Bharata Matyam Dance School, Odissi Team, The Bhavan, Srishti - Nina Rajarani Dance Creations, Natyanjali Dance School—Cambridge, Kathak Team, The Bhavan, Team Niyati, and Kirti Kala Mandir UK (KKMUKCIC).
On the second day, there were performances by the Geetanjali Academy of Fine Arts, Team Sangamam, The Bhavan, Team Anubhava, Team Pratidhi, Dancing Nikita Company, Nital Dance, Divya Kasturi Company—Young Talents, Naad—Community Group of Pagrav Dance Company.
Sangeet Utsav
Sangeet Utsav is Bhavan’s flagship, annual music festival, celebrating the very best of Indian Classical music. On March 9, 2024, the music lovers were treated to a Carnatic vocal concert by the veteran Sri. Neyveli Santhanagopalan. The veteran singer’s excellent renditions of several loved classical pieces received great applause. He was ably assisted by Sri Balu Raguraman on Violin and accompanied by Sri M Balachandar on Mridangam, and Sri Bangalore R N Prakash on Ghatam. On March 10, 2024, Smt. A Kanyakumari mesmerised with a brilliant violin concert. She was supported by Sri Balu Raguraman on Violin and accompanied by M Balachandar on Mridangam, and Sri R R Pratap on Ghatam. Smt. Kanyakumari also conducted a two-day workshop for intermediate and advanced violin students, which saw more than 20 attendees: an unmissable opportunity for them in their own journeys.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Kendra held its annual Founder’s Day celebrations on January 27-28, 2024.
Founder’s Day was a very special experience for the performers and the audience alike. It was uplifting to see the quality and the confidence of the students on stage presenting their varied art forms from Bengali music, Sitar and Tabla tableau, Flute whisperings, Mridangam interplays, Violin melodies; the rhythms, and the intricacies of Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Bharata Natyam; and the beauty of languages and poetry in Sanskrit, Hindi and Bengali.
At this event, 68 students received their Diploma (Grade 5) and Post Diploma (Grade 8) certificates, showing their progress from beginners’ level to this accomplished level taught by the committed and longstanding teachers of the Bhavan. It is a truly remarkable achievement that for the last 50 years, every year there has been a huge turnover of newly-educated British youth. They truly bring the culture of ancient India alive in the old Church building, which was visited by Gandhiji when he was pursuing his legal studies in London in the late 1880s. These students act as the bridge between the UK and India for the next generation. They open the door to the wealth of insight that the Indian performing arts bring through its beautiful tradition of storytelling and its values of respect and education. The Bhavan alumni bring their confidence and artistry to the UK with pride and fortitude.
The Chief Guest for the first day was Mr Deepak Choudhary, Minister (Coordination), High Commission of India, London. On the second day, Ms Aparna Nathan KC, Barrister and Senior Tax Lawyer, and member of The Bhavan’s Education Committee, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Mithila Sharma from the Arts Council England also graced the occasion.
Republic Day Celebrations
The Bhavan, London, organised a celebration of India’s Republic Day on February 8, 2024.
His Excellency Sri Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India, was the Chief Guest. Andrew Slaughter, the Labour MP for Hammersmith, spoke on the occasion about the important work that The Bhavan was doing in promoting Indian culture while uniting people through culture in the Borough. Sri Vikram Doraiswami in his address said that the beauty of art lies in the fact that one need not be an Indian to come to the Bhavan and enjoy the arts being taught and practised here. There are more Indian students, businesses and expats in the UK than ever before. These communities are keen to stay connected to Indian culture, which gives the Bhavan a great opportunity to propagate Indian arts and culture. The speeches were followed by cultural performances by the students of music and dance of the Bhavan.
U.K LONDON Kendra
On November 25, 2023, the annual Diwali Gala was held at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London, with His Excellency Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India, London as the chief guest, and sitarist Anoushka Shankar as the guest of honour.
The event began with a vibrant music ensemble performance by the Bhavan students. Dr Nandakumara offered a prayer after which the Bhavan’s Chairman Mr. Subhanu Saxena gave the welcome address. This was followed by a scintillating Kathak performance by the Bhavan students.
Anoushka Shankar addressed the audience and spoke fondly of her memories at the Bhavan. This was followed by a beautiful Bharatanatyam performance by the Bhavan students.
Mr. Vikram Doraiswami’s eloquent speech was very well received and appreciated. He spoke with insight on Indian culture and how our arts have survived thousands of years and are still learnt, taught, and performed widely across the globe. He appreciated the Bhavan’s continual efforts in making sure of the same.
The event concluded with a brilliant Odissi performance by the Bhavan students.
U.K LONDON Kendra
On August 2, 2023, the London Kendra celebrated the Independence Day of India with a grand event comprising illuminating speeches by guests and cultural performances.
The celebration marked the 77th anniversary of India gaining Independence.
The evening began with a prayer by Executive Director Dr. M N Nandakumara, MBE, followed by the welcome address by Mr. Subhanu Saxena, Chairman, Bhavan UK. Cllr. Patricia Quigley, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, addressed the gathering. She threw light on the Bhavan’s illustrious history of 50 years and the pride of place it holds in the local community as well as in the broader diaspora.
Lord Loomba, CBE, Member of the House of Lords, spoke about the freedom fighters and briefly remembered the freedom struggle and the incidents that lead to India’s Independence.
The main speech of the evening was by H.E Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India. He spoke about how, 76 years ago, there were concerns on how India could achieve democracy with all its diversity, and yet today it stands tall as the world’s largest democracy. The fact that the Bhavan is based in a Church building is itself a testament to our culture and tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
This was followed by a felicitation to Nandaji, for being honoured with an MBE.
Nandaji expressed his gratitude to Dalalji, Mathoorji, Dr. Marr, Shantanuji and Joginderji.
The audience were then treated to patriotic songs and dances by the students of the Bhavan.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Bhavan, London, held its annual summer school between July 15 and August 6, 2023. A three-week intensive offering training with experts in the field of Indian Classical Dance and Music from India and the UK, culminated in a weekend performance. The Bhavan’s summer school is one of the most eagerly awaited annual summer intensives in the UK.
Over 240 students were a part of the summer intensive and all courses proved to be extremely popular and well-attended. Students from Intermediate to Advanced and Masters levels were a part of the intensive.
The summer school teachers’ concert series showcased all the visiting teachers in live concerts and also gave a chance for the budding artists of the Bhavan to open for them.
The intensive culminated in a grand weekend finale event on August 5–6, 2023. All students had the opportunity to perform on the stage, showcasing the special choreographies and songs they had learned during the summer intensive. Both days saw a houseful auditorium, and the performances were received with great enthusiasm and appreciation by the audience.
U.K LONDON Kendra
The Bhavan, London is currently in the middle of its annual Summer School programme. It is a three-week intensive programme in Indian Classical Arts including dance, music, instruments, and languages with renowned teachers from India and the UK.
July 22 and 23, 2023 saw a Hindustani vocal recital by Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar and a Carnatic vocal recital by Dr. Baby Sreeram.
The Hindustani vocal recital was opened by Vidya Joshi, followed by the main recital by Dr.Nagaraj Rao Havaldar.
Dr Havaldar also spoke about the lineage and the responsibility of the artists to carry forward the Parampara to the younger generation.
The next evening began with an opening recital by Srividya Srinivasan, followed by the main recital by Dr. Baby Sreeram. She presented some rare Krithis and impressed the audience with her mastery of the tradition and range.
The second weekend of teachers’ performances was on July 29 and 30, 2023 with a Kathak recital by Abhay Shankar Mishra and a Bharatanatyam recital by Smt. Srekala Bharath.
The recital on July 29, 2023 featured the beautiful upcoming artist Aishwarya Hariram, followed by Abhayji’s presentation.
Abhayji’s mastery over Kathak shone through the performance and will easily be remembered as one of the best Kathak recitals the Bhavan has seen in recent times.
The Sunday event featured an opening performance by upcoming dancer Abbeyrame Laveniya Hariharan.
The main performance by Smt. Srekala Bharath was also well appreciated by the audience.
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