Aims

The Bhavan aims to preserve, encourage and propagate the teaching and understanding of Indian art and culture as an integral part of the culture of the United Kingdom. It commends universal values in performance and studies.

Objectives

1. To provide a centre of learning in the UK for Indian culture.
2. To focus on knowledge that can only be transferred orally or by example, from teacher to pupil.
3. To train successive generations of teachers to pass on such knowledge.
4. To provide a public venue for visiting artistes, performers and teachers.
5. To send performers and teachers to other centres in the UK as well as overseas.
6. To promote universal values without involving politics or religion.

Principles

The Bhavan operates to the following basic principles:

1. Pupils are taught the self-discipline necessary to become fine performers, scholars and valuable citizen.
2. The Bhavan expresses a culture that is a part of the heritage of the UK.
3. Knowledge and skill are imparted using a ‘Learn and Teach’ approach which develops performance and theory skills which are then available for teaching others.
4. The young and adults are equally welcome.

Activities

1. The teaching timetable follows normal schools terms and operates during early evening and weekends.
2. Summer schools and special events are arranged to suit the needs of pupils.
3. Pupils are introduced to the great exponents of Indian culture by encouraging visiting performers and scholars to offer classes.
4. The Bhavan theatre stages Indian Drama in the languages of India and in English. Indian Dance and Music are promoted and publicised widely.
5. Funding is a major concern as the Bhavan depends largely on income form activities, donations and grants from funding bodies.
6. The Bhavan is developing continuously. It seeks accreditation for its academic courses through alliances with other educational bodies. It plans to widen the range of subjects available and to develop and expand its very successful theatre.