Join us for South Asian Heritage Month from Thursday, 18 July to Saturday, 17 August! This vibrant celebration commemorates the rich cultures, histories, and communities of South Asia. South Asian Heritage Month highlights the enduring connections between the UK and the diverse heritage of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
Discover the beauty and depth of South Asian heritage through this year’s theme: ‘Free to be Me’. Explore and celebrate the unique stories and experiences of South Asians in the 21st century.
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure is thrilled to contribute to this special month with a variety of exciting events and activities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share, and celebrate the incredible diversity of South Asian cultures.
Celebrating in Redbridge Libraries
Join Us for a Captivating Showcase by Mudra Dance
As part of SAHM, Mudra Dance is thrilled to present a selection of diverse art forms from South Asian countries:
1. Semi-Classical Dance – A vibrant performance reflecting the rich traditions across the South Asian continent.
2. Mohiniattam – A graceful and elegant dance form from Kerala, known for its emphasis on beauty and poise.
3. Kathak – An expressive and intricate dance form celebrated for its detailed footwork, widely performed across the Indian subcontinent.
We hope you’ll join us for this enchanting and educational journey through South Asian culture!
Saturday 17 August
Redbridge Central Library, Ground Floor – Children’s Library
12.30pm to 1.30pm
Suitable for all ages
Free, just turn up
Muslimah Sports Association Heritage Exhibition – Discover the Heritage of Muslim Women in Sports!
The Muslimah Sports Association (MSA) has put together a fantastic heritage project all about Muslim women in sports. This exhibition is a journey through the lives of Muslim women who’ve faced and conquered barriers in the world of sports.
Each exhibition banner comes with a unique QR code. Just scan it, sit back, and listen to these women’s incredible journeys.
This exhibition is a brilliant opportunity to delve into the challenges and triumphs of Muslim women in sports.
Thursday 18 July – Thursday 1 August
South Woodford Library and Gym
Available to view during library and gym opening hours
Monday 5 August – Saturday 17 August
Gants Hill Library
Available to view during library opening hours
Festival of Indic Civilisation and Culture in Britain
During South Asian Heritage Month we’re celebrating South Asia’s rich cultures and communities. This festival will highlight the diverse traditions, cuisines, clothing, languages, and art forms of the eight South Asian countries.
You’ll discover the contributions of the Indic Civilisation and way of life, both past and present and beyond the Indian Subcontinent.
Each day of the festival programme will feature one or more activities such as:
- Indian Carnatic classical music vocals/instruments
- Devotional hymns/songs from various regions/languages of India/Sri Lanka
- Classical dance forms/folk dances
- Arts and crafts like Rangoli and Mala (garland) making
- Yoga asana, pranayama & meditation sessions for body, mind, and spirit
- Talks on Hindu values and their relevance to modern life
Members of the Tamil Community Centre created the festival programme. As British Citizens with Indic heritage, they believe this programme reflects how Hindu Dharma upholds British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those from different faiths, beliefs, races & communities.
Note: Full-day programmes include a lunch break at 13:00 (lunch not provided).
Join us for a vibrant cultural celebration—everyone is welcome! Enjoy chai, chat, and festivities!
Redbridge Central Library – Ground Floor, Lab Central or Children’s Library
Arts and Crafts in Redbridge Libraries
South Asian Heritage Month Book Chat
Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with our special book chat, an opportunity to explore the rich heritage and history of South Asia through literature. If you love reading and discussing books, this is the perfect event for you!
Join our Book Chat to discover new books, share the joy of reading and get inspired to try something new.
Featured Books:
– The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
– The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
– The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The conversation can include any books set in or authored by writers from South Asian countries. We are eager to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
You can join the book chat in-person at Redbridge Central Library.
Or you can join online. Please register via Eventbrite to receive the online joining details.
If attending in-person, you can bring a drink in a covered cup. Biscuits will be provided.
Wednesday, 7 August
2pm to 3.15pm
In-person at Redbridge Central Library and online
Ages 16+
Free.
Languages Café – Tamil, Hindi and Urdu
Join us at this Colours of Redbridge Pop-Up Café, where we celebrate the diverse languages spoken in our vibrant borough! This unique café experience offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with your community, learn new languages, and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry of Redbridge.
There will be complimentary snacks and drinks, a creative activity based around language, craft, and poetry for people to join in with and plenty of time to chat. The café will have sessions to celebrate the following languages – Tamil, Urdu/Hindi, Bengali, Romanian and British Sign Language (BSL).
The following sessions will be taking place during South Asian Heritage Month
Tamil: Friday 12 July, The Jack Carter Pavillion, Fairlop; 10am to 12noon
Hindi & Urdu: Friday 26 July, Mildmay House, Ilford; 10am to 12noon
Hindi & Urdu: Friday 9 August, the Cherry Tree Café, Wanstead
Each two-hour session will be supported by an experienced language expert to help you get the most out of the session. All abilities from beginner to experienced are welcome to join!
Suitable for ages 16 to 100
Virtual Library
Vision RCL also invites you to discover the heritage, history and culture of South Asia using our social media platforms and online services.
Our Virtual Library gives library members access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines plus a wealth of information. All you need to do is search in your chosen platform for a treasury of reading and listening materials. Find out more here for the virtual library at your fingertips and how to sign up!
Libby offers a selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks to read during South Asian Heritage Month and beyond:
Previous Events
Celebrating South Asia with Redbridge Outdoor Arts
Join Redbridge Outdoor Arts as they celebrate our local communities through dance, music, costume and performance as part of Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure’s South Asian Heritage Month celebrations.
TEA BREAK
Saturday 20 July
Ken Aston Square, Barkingside 11am, 1pm* and 3pm*
(*BSL interpreted)
Sunday 21 July
Ilford Town Centre 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
TEABREAK serves as a portal into an experiential world of tea drinking and performance. Free, freshly brewed tea is served from Trigger’s Tuk Tuk, offering the opportunity to sit, enjoy a cup of tea and companionship and subtly be taken through the history of tea.
Choogh Choogh
Saturday 20 July
Ken Aston Square, Barkingside 12pm and 2pm
Sunday 21 July
Ilford Town Centre 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Choogh Choogh inspired by the joy of travelling through India on a train. The journey starts with audience getting a special choogh choogh ticket.
Scarves become steam, railway tracks, train windows, camels, and so much more. A journey where the audience experience the world from inside the train, through the train and outside it. Along the way the tickets get checked and imaginary food is sold and shared.
This show is an exploration of just how much we can see and imagine, together, as the train chooghs chooghs on.
Rickshaw Project with Barkingside Art Club
Join Barkingside Art Club’s Creative Ambassadors to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month!
The Rickshaw Project is designed and delivered by the Creative Ambassadors, a collective of talented, young emerging artists, trained, nurtured, and developed by Barkingside Art Club’s founder Eliyah Qureshi.
The Rickshaw Project is a series of FREE, inclusive drop-in sessions where you will get the opportunity to ‘Design and Decorate your own Rickshaw’.
All sessions are FREE, inclusive and everyone is welcome!
Saturday 20 July – 10am – 11am and 1pm – 2pm
Ken Aston Square, outside Fullwell Cross Library and Leisure Centre IG6 2EA
Sunday 21 July – 11am – 12.30pm
Foyer, Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford IG1 1EA
Kerala Group Dance (Thiruvathira) Workshop
Thiruvathira is an ancient dance from Kerala state in southern India. This traditional group dance is performed in Kerala during festivities, since time immemorial. Learn about this wonderfully graceful and energetic dance in our entertaining and engaging workshop. Suitable for families with children 6 years and over and all interested adults. Conducted by volunteers from KALA UK (Kerala Arts and Literary Association) a UK registered charity promoting Kerala’s arts and literature.
Redbridge Central LibrarySaturday 20 July
11am – 12pm
Free. First come, first served
Rajiv’s Starry Feelings – Storytelling with Niall Moorjani
Join author Niall Moorjani for some storytelling and craft based on their beautiful debut picture book Rajiv’s Starry Feelings – and learn more about the complex emotions we all feel but can’t always name.
Niall Moorjani is a mixed Scots-Indian award-winning writer and storyteller. They draw inspiration from fairy tales, folk tales and history and love giving them a modern twist. Rajiv’s Starry Feelings is their debut picture book.
Goodmayes Library
Saturday 20 July
11.30am
3 to 7 years
Looms of Kerala
Handloom weaving is especially famous in Kerala, southern India. Learn about the tradition of handloom weaving and the wonderful and exotic fabrics produced by the weavers. Find out about the popular articles of clothing produced. Create your own “mini loom” and take it home with you!
Suitable for families with children aged 6 years and over and all interested adults.
Conducted by volunteers from KALA UK (Kerala Arta and Literary Association) a UK registered charity promoting Kerala’s arts and literature.
Redbridge Central Library
Saturday 20 July
From 12noon to 1pm
Free. First come, first served
Bangladesh Creative Dance and Storytelling with Wee Movers (Ages 2-7 years)
Wee Movers will be celebrating Bangladesh through creative dance and storytelling.
Sessions will include warm-ups to music, gentle stretching, fun dances, storytelling, adventures, imagery, games, dance techniques and lots of opportunities for children to create their own movement.
Saturday 20 July: 2.30pm – 3.15pm
Children’s Library, Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, IG1 1EA
Suitable for families with children aged 2-7 years old.
Free
Sri Lanka Family Dance & Story Telling (Ages 7-11)
Join Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure for South Asian Heritage Month! Celebrating Sri Lanka’s famous dances and cultural stories.
Sessions will include warm-ups to music, gentle stretch
Saturday 20 July: 3:45pm – 5pm
Children’s Library, Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, IG1 1EA
Suitable for families with children aged 7-11 years old.
Free
South Asian Truck Art with Colours of Redbridge
Experience the vibrant art of India and Pakistan without leaving Redbridge! A highly-decorated ‘Truck Art’ truck, famous for its bold colours and witty designs, will be at Fairlop Waters, hosting workshops led by Bradford artist Zareena Bano.
Join us to decorate plaques, boxes, coasters, frames, or enamel mugs. These fun, skill-focused activities are perfect for making gifts or keepsakes. No experience is needed, and all skill levels are welcome!
Workshops run for up to 2 hours, held outdoors next to the truck, with a dry area available in case of rain. They’re free to attend, and all materials are provided. Since some activities can get a bit messy, wear clothes you don’t mind getting marked and suitable for being outside. Come celebrate South Asian culture, history, and heritage with us!
About the Artist
Zareena is a visual artist and has worked in the arts for over eighteen years. She uses mixed media, and her work is inspired by traditional South Asian designs fused with modern and contemporary art. She also recycles and upcycles items giving them a new lease of life as sustainable pieces of artwork. She has recently completed a project on Truck Art in Bradford.
The Boat House at Fairlop Waters, Fairlop Waters Country Park Forest Road, Ilford, IG6 3HN
Two hour-long workshops on Thursday, 27 June; Saturday, 29 June; Sunday, 30 June; Tuesday, 2 July; Wednesday, 3 July; Thursday, 4 July – various times available each on each date
Ages 8 to 100
Free
Arts and Crafts in Redbridge Libraries
Henna Mehndi History and Design Workshop with Divya
Join this workshop and learn the origins and significance of henna, what it is made of and how various cultures incorporate it into their rituals and celebrations.
Create your own henna designs on pre-cut hand templates, then finish the session by getting a simple henna design on your hand using henna and glitter cones, expertly applied by Divya.
Tuesday 6 August
Redbridge Central Library (Lab Central)
6pm-7.45pm
Suitable for ages 13+
Free
Spaces limited, book in advance
Natya – The Next Generation 2024
Join us for a spectacular evening with the Sakthi Fine Arts Youth Dance Group! Witness mesmerizing performances of Bharathanatyam and vibrant fusion dances by the talented students of “Natyakalaimani” Anusha Sajeev.
In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, Sakthi Fine Arts Youth Dance Group will proudly showcase the rich cultural traditions of our local communities from Sri Lanka, South India, Gujarat, Punjab, Bengal, and Kerala.
Don’t miss this enchanting display of heritage and artistry!
Roding Theatre, Woodbridge High School, St Barnabas Road, Essex IG8 7DQ
Saturday, 20 July
6.30pm (Doors open at 6pm)
Tickets £10 per adult; £5 per child
Please RSVP for tickets by email to sakthifinearts@yahoo.co.uk by 30 June
From 1 July details/confirmation of booking will be emailed to those who RSVP
For more information please visit:
For more information about South Asian Heritage Month and details of additional events, please check the following website: South Asian Heritage website