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U.K LONDON Kendra
On the occasion of Navaratri and Ashtami, The Bhavan UK celebrated Durgashtami on September 30, 2025. The event was sponsored by Smt and Shri Alok Bhardwaj and family, who have been associated with The Bhavan for many years.
The evening began with an invocation, followed by performances by The Bhavan’s students from the Bengali music, Hindustani music, Carnatic music departments. Later, students of Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak performed compositions that celebrated Goddess Durga and the timeless lessons from stories connected with the deity.
The traditional puja continued with prayers and chants led by Dr. M. N. Nandakumara, who conducted the ceremony, with Dr. Radha Bhat, Kamala Kotcherlakota and Vishnu Avadhani accompanying him in the chanting.
U.K LONDON Kendra
On August 7, 2025, The Bhavan London celebrated India’s Independence Day with a grand evening of inspiring speeches and vibrant cultural performances, marking the 78th anniversary of India’s freedom. Cllr. Sharon Holder, Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, spoke about The Bhavan’s 50-year legacy as a place of pride and culture for both the local and wider Indian community. Cllr. Anjana Patel, Mayor of Harrow, shared her journey with The Bhavan’s Drama Department and highlighted its role in connecting the Indian community to its roots. She expressed her hope that The Bhavan would expand to other parts of London, spreading its message and good work.
Mr. Prakash Bhoopatkar, Vice Chair of the Chellaram Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s decades-long support of arts and its partnership with The Bhavan spanning three generations.
He linked the values of cultural heritage to entrepreneurial spirit and the principle of giving back to society.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Deepak Choudhary, Minister (Coordination) at the High Commission of India. He remarked that everyone connected to The Bhavan has roots in India—whether through heritage, ideas, or spirituality. He described the High Commission as India’s diplomatic mission in the UK, while The Bhavan stands as the cultural and artistic flag bearer.
Book Launch
On the occasion of Vijayadashami and Gandhi Jayanti, The Bhavan UK hosted the launch of Shattered Lands: The Five Partitions and the Making of Modern South Asia by Sam Dalrymple on October 2, 2025.
The evening began with the Bhavan Chairman, Subhanu Saxena sharing verses and poems that echoed the themes of the book, followed by an introduction of the author.
Sam Dalrymple is a Delhi-raised Scottish historian, an Oxford graduate in Persian and Sanskrit and an award-winning filmmaker.
He co-founded Project Dastaan, a peace-building initiative that records Partition survivors’ oral histories and uses virtual reality (VR) to reconnect descendants with their ancestral homes. His debut book Shattered Lands: The Five Partitions and the Making of Modern South Asia is a #1 bestseller in India.
U.K LONDON Kendra
A unique painting exhibition, Swara Raga Chitra, by Sri H. N. Suresh, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, was inaugurated by Sri Santhana Krishnan, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, on June 14, 2025 at The Bhavan. The exhibition was open from June 14-22. Apart from the Swara Raga Chitra collection, the exhibition featured Shri Suresh’s other pioneering artworks—Navagraha Mandala on the nine planets and Rashi Mandala, the twelve zodiacs—relating them to astrology and astronomy, using traditional aesthetics of colour and line. The 50 paintings were visually striking and scientifically validated, each uniquely crafted and deeply researched. Time and space were the central themes of the artworks, closely tied to cosmology.
U.K LONDON Kendra
Dr. Nandakumara MBE was awarded with the Honorary degree of Doctor of Literature honoris causa by the University of London Worldwide. This prestigious honour was presented on April 29, 2025 during the graduation ceremony held at the Barbican Centre in London.
This year the award was given to Dr Nandakumara in recognition of his outstanding promotion of Indian arts, literature and culture in the United Kingdom.
U.K LONDON Kendra
On March 27, 2025 the London Kendra gathered to pay heartfelt tributes to Sri Joginder Sangerji, a true giant among Bhavan’s donors and supporters. For over 25 years, he selflessly served as Vice-Chairman and for a decade as Chairman of the Bhavan, leaving behind an enduring legacy of service, dedication and leadership.
Remembrance speeches were delivered by several distinguished figures who shared their memories and personal connections with Joginderji. Among them were Baroness Usha Prashar, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords; Lord Dholakia, Life Peer in the House of Lords; Lord Gadhia, businessman and Life Peer in the House of Lords; Keith Vaz, former Member of Parliament for Leicester East; Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall; Lord Ranger, Life Peer in the House of Lords; Lord Loomba, Life Peer and founder of the Loomba Foundation; Dr Surka Mehta, Bhavan’s Vice Chair; Varinder Singh, Bhavan’s trustee; Vinod Thakar, Bhavan’s trustee; Rajini Mehta, community and cultural leader; Barry Gardiner, Member of Parliament for Brent North and Nandaji, Director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK.
His Excellency Shri Vikram Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, and The Rt. Hon. Seema Malhotra, Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, also shared fond memories of their personal connections with Joginderji. They spoke of his exceptional leadership, not only as a successful businessman but also as a pillar of the community, always committed to causes that uplifted others.
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.
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