IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ALL OUR VISITORS
JANUARY 2025
THE BHAVAN'S FOUNDER'S DAY 2025
Sat 25 & Sun 26 January | 3PM – 6PM | £15 (£13 use code BVB2025)
At the beginning of every year, The Bhavan proudly hosts annual Founders’ Day celebrations. Showcasing the talents and dedication of all our students, teachers, and staff, the weekend event is a grand celebration of Indian Classical Arts and the future torch bearers. It is a chance to applaud the students honing their skills at The Bhavan.
FEBRUARY 2025
The Bhavan's celebrates Republic Day
Thur 6 February | 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start | Entry Free, registration required
The Chairman and Executive Committee of The Bhavan UK invite you to celebrate India's Republic Day. The event will be graced by Chief Guest His Excellency Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India.
6.30 – 7.00 pm: Snacks
7.00 pm: Speeches followed by a short cultural programme of patriotic songs and dances.
Bluefeather Studios presents Thamizhum Naanum
Sat 15 February | 6.00pm | £45/£40
Thamizhum Naanum is a celebrated Carnatic music experience led by Sanjay Subrahmanyan, focusing on Thamizh Kirithis. Launched
in 2018, it has captivated audiences through sold-out shows in Chennai and Bangalore and successful virtual presentations.
This homage to the Tamil language brings to light rare,timeless compositions. Accompanied by S Varadarajan on Violin and Neyveli
Venkatesh on Mridangam,Sanjay enriches the music with virtuosity. Featuring works by revered composers like the Alwars, M.M. Dandapani Desigar, and Subramania Bharathi, Thamizhum Naanum bridges tradition and modernity, celebrating Tamil heritage and fostering appreciation for its lyrical legacy.
About the artist:
Born on January 21, 1968, in Chennai, Sanjay Subrahmanyan grew up immersed in Carnatic music. Inspired by legendary strains,
his passion ignited early. Under gurus like V. Lakshminarayana and Calcutta K.S. Krishnamurthi, he mastered violin and vocals,
aying the foundation for a remarkable musical journey.
Remembering Zakir Hussain
Sun 16 Feb | 15:30pm | Registration required
Join us at The Bhavan to honour and celebrate the legacy of Ustaad Zakir Hussain. This memorial will feature heartfelt tributes by The Bhavan’s musicians and a short talk by those who knew him closely.
YATRA - THE BHAVAN'S ANNUAL YOUTH FESTIVAL
Sat 22 & Sun 23 February | 4pm onwards | £18 (£16 use code BVB2025)
The Bhavan is proud to present the annual youth festival 2024. Our aim with the festival is to create an open platform for emerging Indian Classical artists across the music and dance genres from London and beyond to showcase their talents and creativity. We are delighted to host over 15 groups performances across the genres of Indian Classical Arts and do our bit in fostering the next generation of artists.
THE BHAVAN CELEBRATES SHIVARATRI
Wed 26 February | 7pm onwards | £2 (Dinner as prasad)
The Bhavan welcomes you to The Shivaratri puja celebrations. The festival is celebrated by remembering lord Shiva with Vedic Pooja, chanting, music, and dance performances by students of The Bhavan. Prasad will be served in the form of dinner.
Event sponsored by Smt. Pratibha Sharma and family.
MARCH 2025
M.P. Birla Memorial Talk - Leadership lessons from ancient traditions of India
Thur 13 Mar | 6:30pm for for 7:00pm start | Dinner will be served
By invite only | Contact: meera@bhavan.net
By invite only | Contact: meera@bhavan.net
Join us for a talk: Leadership lessons from ancient traditions of India by
Sri Subhanu Saxena, Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK and Europe, holds an MBA from INSEAD and an M.A. from Oxford. A classical guitarist, Sanskrit teacher, and Urdu scholar, he speaks six languages, including Russian, French, German, Hindi, and Urdu. He is currently the council member of Imperial College. He was a global executive with experience in pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and banking, he has served as MD and Global CEO of Cipla and held senior roles at Novartis, Citigroup, and PepsiCo.
By invite only | Contact: meera@bhavan.net
The Singing Star
Fri 14 Mar | 7.30pm - 9.30pm | £20/£15/£10
A dedication to the iconic musician and prolific personality,
Ustad Vilayat Khan.
Join this unique evening presented by London Sitar Academy featuring some of his most dedicated devotees reflecting on his legacy and celebrating his beautiful compositions.
Maatru Vandana
Fri 21 Mar | 6.00pm - 9.00pm | £15/£12 | Snacks available
Maatru Vandana celebrates the divine feminine through dance, honouring mother who is revered across cultures for her role in protection and safeguarding. Sanskruti UK presents Maatru Vandana, raising cross-cultural awareness of mother goddesses, highlighting their heroic acts and the role of mothers in society-building.
SANGEETA NRITYA UTSAV - THE BHAVAN'S ANNUAL MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL |
Performances and workshops
Performances and workshops
Sun 16, Sat 22, Sun 23, Sat 29 & Sun 30 March | 6pm onwards
Supported by Chellaram Foundation
A two-weekend Classical Music Festival with the best of South Indian and North Indian Music & Dance traditions.
Sun 16 March | 6.00pm | £22/£17 (£20/£15 use code BVB)
Sun 16 March | 6.00pm | £22/£17 (£20/£15 use code BVB)
Hindustani vocal by Pandit Uday Bhawalkar
Uday Bhawalkar, a leading Dhrupad vocalist, trained under Ustaad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and Ustaad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Known for his soulful style and global reach, he has performed at prestigious festivals worldwide since 1985 and collaborated with legends like Ustaad Zakir Hussain. A recipient of numerous honors, Uday has also contributed to international film soundtracks and taught at renowned institutions globally. He is a Guru at ITC Sangeet Research Academy and other prestigious centers.
Sat 22 March | 6pm | £27/£22 (£25/£20 use code BVB2025)
Sitar by Smt. Punita Gupta
Smt. Punita Gupta, a senior disciple of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar has devoted her life to create the next generation of sitar players. Her students will perform along with her. She will be accompanied by Vidwan Sri. M Balachandar on Mridangam and Hevylen Shenan on Tabla. Special guest artists like Talvin Singh on Tabla and Rikhil Rai on Flute will also perform.
Sun 23 March | 6pm | £22/£17 (£20/£15 use code BVB2025)
Veena by Vidwan Balakrishna
Sri D. Balakrishna, son and disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar, is a distinguished Veena artist of the Mysore school. Trained rigorously from childhood, he has performed acclaimed solo and duet concerts, known for his purity of notes, mellifluous ragas, and rhythmic precision.
Sat 29 March | 6pm | £22/£17 (£20/£15 use code BVB2025)
Carnatic Vocal by Sri Kalyanapuram S Aravind
Kalyanpuram S. Aravind is a renowned Carnatic vocalist, known for his unique raga alapanas, neravals, and bhava-rich virutham renditions. He began his training under Smt. Sudha Seshagopalan and later with Sri S. Kasthuri Rangan and mentored by the legendary Padmabhushan Sangeetha Kalanidhi Madurai Sri T.N. Seshagopalan.
Sun 30 March | 6pm | £22/£17 (£20/£15 use code BVB2025)
Tripath: Bharatanatyam, Harikatha & Kathak by Sharat, Divya & Bharat Prabhath
Descendants of Saint-Poet Purandara Dasaru, Sharat,
Divya, and Bharat Prabhath present a unique blend of
Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Harikatha. Presenting
Punyakoti, a folktale blending Kathak and Katha,
Apaharana, exploring Sita and Rukmini's journeys, and a
Kathak recital showcasing Jaipur and Lucknow gharanas.
PAST EVENTS
Veda Chanting
Starts Wed 15 January | 4.30pm | Online, every Wednesday
Immerse yourself in the sacred traditions of Veda chanting guided by Sri Subhanu Saxena. Learn the timeless hymns of the Vedas, focusing on pronunciation, rhythm, and deeper understanding. Open to all.
Hindi Language Workshop
Sun 12 January | 12pm - 5pm | £30 | Snacks available
Join us for a fun, interactive Hindi workshop perfect for beginners! Learn practical language skills using familiar words while exploring Hindi's rich cultural heritage.
Ideal for children, young adults, and parents introducing Hindi to their kids, with a focus on conversational fluency and cultural integration.
Expect engaging sessions featuring Bollywood references and cultural icons, making learning both relatable and enjoyable!
Iyengar Yoga Workshop
Sat 11 January | Full day: 10.30am – 4pm | £45 | Half day: 10.30am – 1.30pm | £30
Join Suzanne and Elaine, experienced Iyengar Yoga teachers at The Bhavan, for a workshop exploring key aspects of the practice. Ideal for students with six months of experience, the session includes refreshments and a restorative/pranayama afternoon. Full-day or morning-only options are available.
GarbaWorkshop
Every Monday 6 Jan - 17 Feb
Beginner: 7pm - 8pm | £70
Advanced: 8pm - 9pm | £87.50
Beginner: 7pm - 8pm | £70
Advanced: 8pm - 9pm | £87.50
We are excited to announce our upcoming garba classes, focusing on technique and style. The sessions will be tailored for both beginner and advanced levels.
Selected participants will take part in the YATRA festival at the Bhavan on 23rd Feb 2025.