The Bhavan is proud to present the annual youth festival 2025. 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 30 groups and more than 200 artists and do our bit in fostering the next generation of artists.

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.

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. 

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 celebrates the divine feminine through dance, honouring mother who is revered across cultures for her role in protection and safeguarding. Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence presents Maatru Vandana, raising cross-cultural awareness of mother goddesses, highlighting their heroic acts and the role of mothers in society-building.

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 BVB2025)

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 honours, 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 centres.

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. 

Sri D. Balakrishna, son and disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar is a distinguished Veena artist of the Mysore school. Trained in classical Karnatic music from childhood, he has performed acclaimed solo and duet concerts and is known for his purity of notes, mellifluous ragas, and rhythmic precision.

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.

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.

Witness the epic journey of Prince Bhagiratha in a mesmerising musical theatre production. The story unfolds as he fights to free 60,000 ancestors from an ancient curse by bringing the celestial Ganga, the river of purity and life, down to Earth.

Enjoy an evening of Indian classical music and dance with a tabla solo by Pt. Rajkumar Misra and Kathak by Saberi Misra, accompanied by Pt. Rajkumar Misra (tabla) and Shri Hiranmay Mitra (harmonium).

Amritha explores devotion, desire, and the unity of Shiva and Shakti through Bharatanatyam compositions by Smt. Vidhya Subramanian with live music by an exceptional ensemble.

Experience the epic tale of Karna, one of Hindustan's greatest heroes, n a two-hour Dastangoi performance by Mahmood Farooqui. Drawing from the Mahabharata, Persian Razmnama, and texts in Urdu, Hindi, and Sanskrit, this solo performance brings Karna's legacy to life through powerful, multilingual storytelling.

"Chaitanya: The Journey of the Spirit" is a Kathak showcase by the students of Bhavan's Kathak Department, presented under the guidance of their Guru, Sri Abhinav Shankar Mishra and Smt Shreetama Mukherjee. This performance delves into the spiritual and artistic essence of Kathak, offering an experience that is both introspective and inspiring. Join us for an evening that celebrates the transformative journey of the spirit through the classical art of Kathak.

The Bhavan, UK honours and celebrates the legacy of Late Padma Vibhushan Ustaad Zakir Hussain. The memorial concert will feature heartfelt tributes by The Bhavan’s musicians and a short talk by those who had the pleasure of knowing him closely.

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.

 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.

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. 

Participants are encouraged to make a donation to The Bhavan in support of this initiative. Donate.

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!

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.

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.