Running from July 18 to August 17, South Asian Heritage Month is a recognized international observance dedicated to celebrating South Asian culture with numerous events, parties, and celebrations. The month is aimed at celebrating excellence from the communities of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. South Asians represent more than 20 percent of London’s population, and so rightfully so, the city enthusiastically embraces the culture by celebrating with Indian food and music and more.
Here’s where to celebrate South Asian Heritage in London this year:
Museum Late: South Asian Stories
London Transport Museum will open its doors after-hours on August 16 Friday for a Museum Late to mark the celebration of South Asian Heritage Month in London! Created in partnership with TfL’s Raising Awareness of Culture and Ethnicity Colleague Network Group (RACE CNG), the event will feature an variety of talks, workshops and performances inspired by the stories of Londoners and transport workers from South Asian communities.
📍Address: London Transport Museum: Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB
🚇 Nearest Station: Covent Garden
I Am Who I Am Now: Selections from the Bengali Photo Archive
This exhibition showcases everyday photographs taken by and of Bengali people over the past 50 years. It highlights family life, community spaces, and the socio-political landscape of the East End. The images are drawn from the Bengali Photo Archivea new collection of personal and family photographs donated by the local community. These will be shown alongside work by photographers who have documented the working lives, activism and anti-racist struggles of the Bengali community, including Raju Vaidyanathan, Mayar Akash, Anthony Lam, Paul Halliday, Sarah Ainslie, David Hoffman and Paul Trevor.
📍Address: Four Corners, 121 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, E2 0QN
🚇 Nearest Station: Bethnal Green
Echoes of India – Photographic Exhibition
This free photography exhibition by Shubham Sarvaiya is available to see throughout the whole of South Asian Heritage Month. The exhibition showcases over 10 years of work from Shubham’s travels across his homeland in India. Through a series of 15 images, it aims to showcase the beauty and diversity of India with photos from the most Northern to the Southern parts of India.
📍Address: Marcus Garvey Library, 1 Philip Lane, London N15 4JA
🚇 Nearest Station: Seven Sisters
Showcasing South Asian Opera Singers and South Asian Diaspora in the Caribbean
A powerful show featuring South Asian opera singers, celebrating the South Asian diaspora in the Caribbean. Produced by Thee Black Swan and supported by Arts Council England, Medea Gosperia is a new show where Greek tragedy meets gospel opera. A female-led production representing a diverse cast showcasing four Indian opera singers and their connection to the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean and all over the world.
📍Address: The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH
🚇 Nearest Tube Station: Edgware Road
South Asian Heritage Month Celebration ‘Free to Be Me’
This exhibition will feature in UAL’s London College of Communication campus exploring this year’s theme of South Asian Heritage Month ‘Free To Be Me.’ Curated by MA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography student Sophia Nasif, it showcases work from various South Asian students at the university. The photographs will be on display to the public for the entirety of South Asian Heritage Month.
📍Address: London College of Communication, SE1 6SB
🚇 Nearest Tube Station: Elephant & Castle
Film Screenings at Garden Cinema
The Garden Cinema will be showing 13 film screenings showcasing stories focusing on themes of resilience, identity, and personal freedom, with a special focus on music, female voices, and queer stories. You can expect the likes of Fawzia Mirza’s debut the Queen of My Dreams, from Pakistan, and Shuchi Talati’s Sundance-winning Girls Will Be Girls, from India and mu
📍Address: Garden Cinema, WC2B 5PQ
🚇 Nearest Tube Station: Holborn
Camden hosting a series of events to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month showcasing the traditions, arts, and contributions of the borough’s South Asian communities. Including a community festival with dance, music and food, with the final event ‘Regents Roots Festival’ taking place around Drummond Street taking place on 3 August.
📍Address: Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, Regent’s Place, NW1 3FE
🚇 Nearest Tube Station: Camden
