"It is a time to honour the resilience."
South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) represents equality and diversity.
However, many people of South Asian heritage do not know that this celebratory month exists.
SAHM was made to celebrate the multiple contributions that South Asian communities have made in the UK.
These communities include Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, and Sri Lankan groups.
The celebrations recognise traditional foods, music, clothing, language, and the atmosphere South Asian people across Britain create.
This is a period to celebrate the rich history and culture of South Asian communities in Britain and worldwide.
South Asian Heritage Month runs from July 18 to August 17 every year.
July 18 is the date that the Indian Independence Act of 1947 gained royal assent from King George VI.
The month ends on August 17 as the date that the Radcliffe line was published, establishing borders between India, West Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Furthermore, these dates coincide with an important South Asian month called Saravan or Sawan, which is the month of monsoon.
Did you know that around one in every 20 people in Britain are of South Asian Heritage?
This is partly due to people moving to the UK from South Asian countries after the independence and partition in 1947.
DESIblitz delves into South Asian Heritage Month, exploring its importance and history.
Why does SAHM Exist?
SAHM was first celebrated in 2020. This celebration was established to recognise the contributions of South Asians to British society.
SAHM also fosters a greater understanding of South Asian culture and heritage among the wider population.
South Asian Heritage Month serves as a platform to share stories, highlight artistic expressions, and celebrate the achievements of South Asians in various fields.
Examples include arts, literature, science, business, politics, education and more.
Anita Rani, Founding Patron of South Asian Heritage Month, states:
“South Asian Heritage Month is about the next generation of kids growing up in the UK and for them to be able to feel empowered in their identity and proud of who they are.”
It is a time to honour the resilience, ambition, innovation, and cultural richness of South Asian individuals and communities across the world.
Key Aspects of South Asian Cultures
It is important to know some of the key aspects that highlight the diversity of South Asian cultures and traditions.
Each region within South Asia boasts unique cultural practices, culinary delights, art, music and architectural styles.
For example, the Indian constitution recognises 22 official languages which include Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Punjabi, Marathi, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, Odia, Sindhi, and Nepali.
South Asia is renowned for its religious diversity as it is the birthplace of four of the world’s religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.
Christianity and Islam also co-exist in South Asia, influencing the cultural landscape.
Across South Asia lies sacred sites, temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches, which serve as symbols of spiritual heritage.
South Asian cuisine is a significant part of British culture. Dishes such as biryani, samosa, daal, roti and a variety of curries are popular amongst the British public.
Important South Asian Figures
Britain has many influential South Asian figures.
All of them have made significant contributions in multiple different fields.
Below are just a few of the figures that you should know about and can celebrate during South Asian Heritage Month.
Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak became the Prime Minister in October 2022. He is the first ever British Prime Minister of South Asian heritage.
Sunak’s parents are both Indian and moved from East Africa to the UK.
As the first British Asian PM, Rishi Sunak has had a significant impact on individuals in the UK.
For young South Asians, it is important to see a South Asian figure in a position of power.
Sanam Arora, the founder of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union says:
“What it meant to me was that a moment of aspiration.
“It was really a moment of ambition and a shattering of many glass ceilings.”
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, was a Gujarati-speaking Parsi and his parents were from Bombay.
Mercury was the lead singer of the infamous glam-rock band Queen, and despite his ethnicity being unobvious, he was still an extremely successful British-Asian.
In 1990, Mercury and the other Queen members received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British music.
Another layer was added to Mercury’s legacy through the circumstances of his death.
His death altered the public’s perception of suffering from HIV and shifted the media’s negative narratives surrounding the disease.
On 20 April 1992, the members of Queen performed The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness at Wembley Stadium.
Over 72,000 people attended the concert, which was broadcast across the world, raising awareness for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity that fights HIV and AIDS.
M.I.A
M.I.A is a musician from West London. She is Sri Lankan and lived in Sri Lanka from the age of six months old.
Her music has captivated over eight million listeners on Spotify, with her hit song ‘Paper Planes’ having over 754 million streams.
In line with the theme of 2024, M.I.A speaks about being authentic and feeling free to show her identity as a person and as an artist:
“I’m extremely lucky that, as a South Asian person or not, I have been able to become an artist and express myself without having to compromise myself.
“I was able to make up the rules, and I hope this inspires the newer generations.”
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai survived an attack by a Taliban gunman for being an activist for women’s rights and female education in Pakistan. She was 15 years old.
She was transferred to a hospital in Birmingham to be treated for her injuries and settled there after she recovered where they have resided since.
Malala won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 making her the youngest ever laureate.
She is a prominent South Asian figure, with her work advocating for education inspiring books and the film He Named Me Malala (2015).
After her recovery, Malala talks about her reasons for advocating for the education of girls:
“It was then I knew I had a choice: I could live a quiet life, or I could make the most of this new life I had been given.
“I was determined to continue my fight until every girl could go to school.”
In a speech at the United Nations, Malala expressed:
“When girls go to school, countries can recover from conflict more quickly once peace is established. Educating girls helps create stability and binds communities.”
These South Asian figures should be acknowledged and celebrated for their successes.
2024 Theme
The theme for South Asian Heritage Month 2024 is ‘Free to Be Me’.
This focuses on celebrating the beauty of being yourself.
People of South Asian heritage can relate to the idea of being ‘free’.
It includes ideas about identity, how being of South Asian heritage makes you unique, and how your community supports you and impacts your life.
Additionally, themes such as gender and how gender roles influence your life experiences, along with religion and the role of faith and spirituality in your personal life.
Dr Mehwish Sharif reflects on finding her identity as a South Asian woman in the UK:
“I had to understand, create and accept my own identity, drawing lessons from my ancestral heritage and incorporating the new cultural concepts around me.
“In combination, both cultures enabled me to develop a unique perspective which facilitated a greater impact in both my personal and professional life.
“In my own experience, this blending of cultures has demonstrated the strength and sense of belonging that comes from integrating different heritages and celebrating diversity.”
How Can You Get Involved?
There is a plethora of events that you can attend if you want to get involved in South Asian Heritage Month 2024.
There are workshops, panels, performances, and many exhibitions.
I Am Who I Am Now: Selections from the Bengali Photo Archive
This is an exhibition which focuses on everyday photographs involving Bengali people over the past 50 years.
It illuminates the intricate interplay between individual experiences and the broader socio-political landscape.
The stories behind the photos are brought to life through oral history recordings. The archive also includes photographs embroidered by mothers and daughters sharing powerful perspectives on the community’s history.
This is accessible from July 5 to August 3, from 11 am to 6 pm. It takes place at Four Corners, 121 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London, E20QN.
Fragments of a Panorama by Murthovic and Thiruda
This is a kaleidoscope of worlds oscillating between a speculative future and an alternative past.
This initiative explores cultural heritage, digital technology and speculative futures through film, interactive experiences, video games and sculpture,
Through the malleability of space-time in virtual AI-rendered worlds, the exhibition introduces immersive experiences across different states and technological landscapes, transporting you to India.
It takes place from July 11 to October 13 at Arebyte Gallery, 7 Botanic Square, Leamouth Peninsula, London, E14 0LG.
Arts SU X UAL ‘Free To Be Me’, Exhibition London College of Communication
This exhibition explores the 2024 theme of ‘Free To Be Me’ through photography, printmaking, illustration and more.
It involves embracing oneself, sharing similarities and celebrating differences.
The whole concept of taking pride in who we are is something that many find relatable and uplifting.
You can get involved on July 15 – August 18 at Arts SU, 1st Floor, 272 High Holborn London, WC1V 7EY.
Echoes of India Photographic Exhibition
It is the culmination of work spanning over 10 years and travels across India.
Shubham Sarvaiya, exhibition leader, describes the exhibition as a way to “showcase the beauty and diversity of this vibrant, mysterious and grandiose country.”
She continues: “If you’ve always wanted to go there, I hope it inspires you to book that flight.
“If you’ve already travelled there, I hope it brings back colourful memories and imprints some new emotions in you.”
It takes place from July 17 – August 17, at Marcus Garvey Library, 1 Philip Lane, London, N15 4JA.
Here are some more activities to get involved in:
- South Asian Heritage Month at the Garden Cinema
- ‘Free to Be Me’ Poster Exhibition
- Stories that Made Us: Protest and Identity Exhibition
- Tape Letters Exhibition: Ashton-Under-Line
- Block Printing Workshop: Free Crafting Session
You can find out more here.
The vibrancy of South Asian cultures, traditions, and contributions serves as a testament to the region’s rich diversity and heritage.
From the exquisite ranges of food, arts, and culture to the mosaic of languages and religions, South Asia stands as a beacon of cultural richness and interconnectedness.
Embracing and celebrating the South Asian identity in Britain and across the globe fosters unity and appreciation.
It also advocates for mutual respect between differing cultures.
This allows us to pave the way for a more inclusive and welcoming world where the voices of South Asian Heritage can be heard.
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