South Asian Heritage Month

Join us as we celebrate the vibrant cultures and rich traditions of South Asia through art, music, dance, and storytelling. Our programme offers a unique glimpse into the diverse heritage and creativity of South Asian communities. This year’s theme, 'Root to Routes', explores the deep connections between heritage, identity, and migration, highlighting how journeys shape cultures and communities. Explore what's on below. Sat 5 Jul - Thu 31 Jul ROOTS. | ART EXHIBITION Interactive art installation by British Kashmiri artist, Hussina Raja. Sat 19 Jul Trans Kashmir (2022) | FILM Once entertainers and employees of the royal court, Kashmiri Hijiras were believed to have mystical powers and were treasured members of society. Today, they fight for dignity and basic human rights. Offering an intimate glimpse into their unique culture, resilience, and beauty, this documentary chronicles their growing movement to secure the community’s survival. In conversation with Surbhi Dewan | PANEL Panel discussion with Trans Kashmir filmmaker Surbhi Dewan chaired by Professor Anandi Rao. Surbhi is an independent film director, writer & producer. Her films explore intersections between socio-political conflict, displacement, memory and identity. Surbhi will be joining us for the Q&A live from Delhi. Food and stalls from the Kashmiri Cultural Society. This event is part of Rumours of Spring Film Festival. Fri 25 Jul DAC After Hours: A Bollywood State of Mind | SOCIAL Writer and founder of the celebrated Jhalak Prize, Sunny Singh hosts an interactive evening celebrating all things Bollywood. Inspired by her book of the same name, A Bollywood State of Mind takes you on a sonic journey down memory lane, all the way to present day in celebration of the biggest cinema industry in the world. Join us to share memories, songs, good food and even better vibes. Sunny Singh is a London-based writer and academic. She is the founder of the celebrated Jhalak Prize. She is the author of six critically acclaimed books including the novel Hotel Arcadia, a study of Amitabh Bachchan for the British Film Institute (that the star himself commended for being well researched) and A Bollywood State of Mind. Her next book, Refuge: Stories of War (and Love) will be published in August 2025. Sat 26 Jul Romeo and Juliet Song Play Workshop A fun, family-friendly workshop exploring the traditional South Asian Palagan (translates: “song play”) style of theatre through the lens of Shakespeare’s most famous heroine, Juliet. Join Mukul & Ghetto Tigers theatre company for a playful and creative multi-lingual workshop. Suitable for ages 6+. Made in Bangladesh (2019) | FILM Shimu, 23, works in a clothing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Faced with difficult conditions at work, she decides to start a union with her co-workers. Despite threats from the management and disapproval of her husband, Shimu is determined to go on. Together the women must fight and find a way. Director, Rubaiyat Hossain is one of Bangladesh’s handful of female filmmakers. Made in Bangladesh is her third feature film and premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, distributed by Pyramide Films. Rubaiyat uses a feminist lens to deconstruct the otherwise phallocentric institution of cinema. This event is part of Rumours of Spring Film Festival.