The Bhavan Experience
The Bhavan is the leading Centre for Indian Culture in the UK, dedicated to nurturing, promoting, and preserving the classical arts of India. For over five decades, The Bhavan has been a home for artists, students, and communities to connect through music, dance, and cultural learning.
Our aim is to go beyond regular teaching, offering layered and meaningful experiences through initiatives such as the Vidyaamagna Series.
Vidyaamagna was created to provide online workshops with artists based in India, allowing students to experience the artforms at their source. These sessions explore not only performance but also how to listen, interpret, and share knowledge with awareness of the wider world.
Empowering the Next Generation
In the UK, home-grown artists are often found to be under-skilled, inexperienced, or less professional in their approach compared to artists from India, who generally demonstrate higher skill levels, reliability, and extensive performance experience.
There is also a common perception that Indian arts are not viable career paths for young people in the UK.
The Bhavan is addressing this through its Education and Outreach Programme, which focuses on building the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed for a successful artistic career.
At a Glance, our objectives are to:
Understand the historical development of each artform and its role in Indian culture.
Achieved through the Vidyaamagna Online Workshops, designed to fill learning gaps.
Improve practical performance skills.
Supported by collaborations with the Horniman Museum and Marylebone School, offering live performance opportunities.
Develop a rounded artistic approach.
Through artistic partnerships, including collaboration with Scrum Theatre Company, our local theatre partner.
Encourage personal expression through the artform.
Weekly open masterclasses for Bhavan graduates and external students help build confidence and stage presence.
Strengthen teaching and transmission of knowledge.
In partnership with St Helen’s School, Bhavan graduates continue to teach music and dance, ensuring the tradition continues.
The Bhavan Experience
Performance and outreach are central to The Bhavan’s mission. We are committed to providing students with authentic platforms to present their work and engage with audiences. We are proud to collaborate with:
- Horniman Museum
- Tri-Borough Music Hub
- Scrum Theatre Company
- St Helen’s School
Through these partnerships, The Bhavan promotes authentic Indian art experiences, while guiding students toward professional development and artistic excellence.
