The British Council, the United Kingdom’s international institution promoting educational opportunities and cultural exchanges, today launched the India/UK Together Season of Culture, a commemoration of the two countries’ long-standing partnership.
Jan Thomson, Deputy High Commissioner to India, and Barbara Wickham OBE, Director India, British Council, officially began the Season of Culture to commemorate India’s 75th anniversary from the historic British Council building, a dynamic cultural epicentre in the heart of the national capital.
The Season of Culture aims to build on the British Council’s work in India and strengthen India-UK collaboration in the areas of Arts, English and Education. The Season of Culture will enable collaborations between emerging artists and arts organisations from both nations, acting as a platform for greater artistic exchange, global opportunities and exposure.
The Season collaborations across art forms will foster creative expression and will be distinguished by the use of digital innovation in the arts. In addition to mesmerising the audiences through art, the thought-provoking collaborations will also have inclusion and diversity principles deeply embedded.
‘Access For All’ is the Season of Culture equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) advisor.
Over 1,400 artists will showcase their collaborations to millions of audiences across India, Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, through a wide array or arts such as theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, music, architecture, design, fashion, tech-art, and new media art.
Culture is a strong unifying theme and a key pillar of the India-UK bilateral relationship, underlined in the recently signed ‘UK-India Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties and enhance collaboration to support the development of the creative economies of both nations.
Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, A. R. Rahman has been announced as the India/UK Together Season of Culture ambassador.
Barbara Wickham OBE, Director India, British Council, said, “India/UK Together, a Seasonof Culture marks the deep connections between our nations and the 75th anniversary of India. The creative collaborations of emerging Indian and UK artists and arts organisations will juxtapose art with social dialogue, exploring shared global challenges such as environmental sustainability, inclusion, gender equality and accessibility, and empowering young leaders of the future through the arts. People in both countries will have the chance to experience innovative and exciting creative work from some of the most promising UK and Indian artists pushing the envelope of creativity and the infusion of creative tech.”
“We are excited to have the globally acclaimed A R Rahman as our Season Ambassador. He has been a significant adviser to the Season of Culture and his work and professional journey truly embody what the Season of Culture stands for – working together, and artistic output that captures the imagination of the world,” she added.
Speaking on the association with the Season of Culture, Amish Tripathi, Minister (Culture), Indian High Commission, UK & Director, Nehru Centre, London, said, “With a burgeoning economic relationship, closely aligned governments, and a living bridge in terms of the Indian diaspora in the UK, the sky is the limit for the partnership between India and the UK. My compliments to the British Council for driving the India/UK Together Season of Culture. The Nehru Centre London, under the leadership of ICCR & the High Commission of India to the UK, is very proud to partner in this very important initiative.”
Speaking on his association with the Season of Culture, A.R. Rahman said, “I am honoured to be the Ambassador for British Council’s India/UK Together, a Season of Culture, and to celebrate the strong friendship between our two countries. Today, creative expression and exchange can nurture young talent and create a global stage for fair and equitable access to arts. As an artist, it is a pleasure to be part of an innovative cultural programme which supports creative excellence and artistic appreciation; and brings diverse audiences together.”
