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Rising costs force UK govt to delay major rail project

People walks next to the railways in Waterloo Station in London, Britain, on Aug. 20, 2022.(Xinhua/Li Ying/IANS)

The whole project, which will connect London Euston to Manchester, had been scheduled for final completion from 2035-2040…reports Asian Lite News

Britain said on Thursday it would delay building parts of a new high-speed railway linking London and northern England after the cost of the massive project, known as HS2, soared yet again.

In the latest blow to a project designed to modernise Britain’s rail network and add capacity on busy tracks, the government said construction of a section in central England would be pushed back.

“We have seen significant inflationary pressure and increased project costs,” British transport secretary Mark Harper said in a written statement to parliament.

Companies involved in building HS2 include Kier Group, Balfour Beatty and Vinci. First proposed in 2009, HS2 is billed as the largest infrastructure project in Europe and aims to help the UK catch up with other European countries with extensive high-speed rail.

The whole project, which will connect London Euston to Manchester, had been scheduled for final completion from 2035-2040.

But Harper said the section between the city of Birmingham and the town of Crewe around 60 miles to its north would be “rephased” by two years. He did not set a new completion date for the whole northern section linking Birmingham to Manchester.

He also said the section of rail linking HS2 to Euston station in central London would be deprioritised, with work focusing first on joining the line up to a newly-built but much less central hub in suburban north-west London.

“These are the difficult but responsible decisions we are taking, that put the priorities of the British people first, in controlling inflation and reducing government debt,” Harper said.

HS2 was expected to cost between 72 billion and 98 billion pounds at 2019 prices, but since then the bill has been pushed up by inflation – which ran at around 18% in the construction industry last year, affecting materials like timber, steel and concrete.

The 2019 budget was already a big jump from the 2015 estimate of 56 billion pounds. The project has also already been scaled back; in 2021 the government scrapped a planned link to Leeds, citing spiralling costs.

“Tens of thousands of jobs, and billions in economic growth are dependent on this project,” said Louise Haigh, transport policy chief for Britain’s opposition Labour Party. The government’s “chaos and chronic indecision” was holding back jobs, growth and costing taxpayers, she added.

Construction of the first part of HS2, from west London to Birmingham, is already underway.

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Manchester Museum reopens; South Asian Gallery achieves overwhelming response

Following its £15 million transformation, Manchester Museum reopened its doors recently with the aim to build greater understanding between cultures, a more sustainable world and to bring to life the lived experience of diverse communities through the Museum’s historic collections and new displays … Rahul Laud reports

With pomp and fanfare the Manchester Museum reopened in the presence of community leaders, artistes, regular museum visitors and for Chancellor at the Exchequer George Osborne.On the occasion of the reopening , Esme Ward, Museum Director of Manchester Museum, said: “The reopening marks a huge moment in Manchester Museum’s rich history as we open our doors following a major transformation. We have extended the building, making room for more joy and learning and evolving into the Museum Manchester needs. Beautiful new galleries and exhibitions will showcase the best of the Museum’s historic collections, as well as addressing the urgencies of the present day and highlighting the complexities of our world. We have also listened to advocates with lived experience, and inclusive new spaces and features are incorporated throughout. We are delighted to welcome our visitors back.”

Esem Ward, Director, Manchester Museum

Exciting new galleries include the South Asia Gallery, a British Museum partnership, and the UK’s first permanent space to explore the lived experience of South Asian diaspora communities. There is also a new Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, the Belonging Gallery, a brand new Dinosaur display and Golden Mummies of Egypt, its first blockbuster exhibition opening in the new Exhibition Hall.

Designed by Purcell, the modern two-storey extension houses a major new Exhibition Hall and South Asia Gallery, alongside a new accessible entrance from Oxford Road and a new cafe and shop. The extension is clad in green-glazed terracotta tiles and pays homage to craftsmanship as well as Victorian and Edwardian period buildings in Manchester. Other new features include a Changing Places toilet, prayer room, quiet room, picnic area and therapy room.

Nusrat Ahmed, Lead, South Asian Gallery

Exhibition Hall

The Exhibition Hall is home to ambitious shows that explore past, present and future and engage with global and local narratives. The opening exhibition, Golden Mummies of Egypt, offers visitors unparalleled access to the Museum’s world-class Egypt and Sudan collection and challenges Victorian narratives of ‘ancient Egypt’ through new research from the University of Manchester. Featuring more than 100 objects and 8 mummies, the UK debut, and final destination of the exhibitions running follows a hugely popular tour across USA and China and presents a rich perspective on beliefs about the afterlife during Egypt’s Graeco-Roman Period (332 BC -395 AD), with highlights including elaborately decorated mummies known as ‘Fayum Portraits’.

George Osborne former Chancellor at the UK exchequer

The South Asia Gallery, a British Museum partnership, is the first permanent gallery in the UK to celebrate the lived experiences and contributions of the South Asian diaspora. Co-curated with the South Asia Gallery Collective, a group of 30 individuals including community leaders, educators and artists, the gallery explores the connection between South Asia and Britain and the legacy of Empire alongside contemporary South Asian culture and creativity, perspectives that have not been presented before. Divided into 6 anthologies, the Collective has grappled with a range of subjects through 140 artefacts, including one of the collective’s great-grandfather’s World War I uniform, a rickshaw imported from Bangladesh and decorated Communities in Manchester, a new commissioned mural from British artists, The Singh Twins – an emotional map of South Asian diaspora experience – and a Cartier brooch containing a repurposed carved emerald from the Mughal Empire. At the heart of the gallery is also a dedicated space for performance, film and participatory activities. Ustad Allah Rakhan’s original tabla loaned from the British Museum is a huge attraction for Indian classical music lovers.

The Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery highlights personal stories of migration, friendships and collaboration to inspire empathy and build understanding. Developed in partnership with the University’s Manchester China Institute, it draws on historical and contemporary links between Manchester and China.

One of the Museum’s most visited exhibits, the prehistoric giant Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex, returns alongside a new addition, April the Tenontosaurus. The Museum worked with a team of Earth Science students from the University of Manchester, whose new research and several years of cataloguing have allowed April’s skeleton, dating back to the Cretaceous period and found in Montana, USA, to stand on all fours again. Positioned next to the historic Fossils Gallery, the brand-new Dinosaur display also teaches visitors Palaeontology enthusiasts will learn what it means to think like a palaeontologist at the brand-new Dinosaur display next to the historic Fossils Gallery.

The new Belonging Gallery captures the welcoming spirit of the Museum, drawing upon the Museum’s collections and diverse cultural perspectives to reflect on what it means to belong.

There are also stories that include the climate migration of the first people to Britain during the last Ice Age and the poignant story of a Syrian refugee’s life jacket, collected in 2017.

The gallery has been curated by Alexandra P. Alberda, the first-ever Curator of Indigenous Perspectives at Manchester Museum. She was appointed to take forward the innovative ‘Indigenising Manchester Museum’ programme, funded by the John Ellerman Foundation, which sets Indigenous perspectives at the heart of the Museum. She is also undertaking provenance research with “source and diaspora communities” as part of the Museum’s proactive approach to repatriation.

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Labour says UK risks falling behind Poland

The party has drawn up analysis based on World Bank data which says that, on current trajectories, per capita GDP in the U.K. will be some $600 behind that of Poland by 2030…reports Asian Lite News

Keir Starmer will on Monday ask British voters to judge him on whether they “feel better off after five years of a Labour government” as he tries to flesh out the opposition party’s economic thinking ahead of the next election.

The Labour leader — who current polls suggest is on course to be the U.K.’s next prime minister — will join his Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and a host of business leaders Monday for a roundtable aimed at selling Labour’s promise to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7 group of industrialized nations.

And he will insist that the U.K. economy does not have to lag behind Poland’s as some British commentators have predicted could happen by the end of the decade.

“The British people are falling behind while our European neighbors get richer, in the east as well as in countries like France and Germany,” Starmer will say, according to extracts released by the party overnight.

“I’m not comfortable with that. Not comfortable with a trajectory that will soon see Britain overtaken by Poland. Nor am I prepared to accept what the consequences of this failure would mean.”

The party has drawn up analysis based on World Bank data which says that, on current trajectories, per capita GDP in the U.K. will be some $600 behind that of Poland by 2030.

Labour has struggled to make a play on the economy since being ejected from office in 2010 in the wake of the global financial crisis. But the party senses a major opening after the short-lived Conservative administration of Liz Truss sparked market turmoil with a push for unfunded tax cuts. The International Monetary Fund has projected that Britain’s will be the only G7 economy to shrink in 2023.

Starmer will accuse the Conservatives of leaving the U.K. in a “low wage, high tax, doom-loop,” and call on his party to “be frank about the path of decline the Tories have set our country on.” Labour will, he is set to promise, “take on vested interests,” work to “shape markets” and shake up a planning system that currently favors “the already wealthy, not the new houses, wind farms and laboratories we need to create more wealth.”

The comments received a cautious welcome from some U.K. business leaders, with Carolyn Fairbairn, the former boss of lobby group the Confederation of Business Industry, saying that while Labour had “much heavy lifting to do,” the party’s pitch for a “true partnership with business to build predictable long-term policy, particularly in skills, education, innovation and infrastructure” marked “the right direction of travel.”

The governing Tories dismissed Starmer’s latest intervention, however, accusing Labour of flirting with higher inflation and taking potshots at its previous stint in office, which Conservative Chairman Greg Hands said had left public debt “spiraling.”

“Starmer’s Labour are too weak to stand up for the British people, let alone bring forward a credible plan for the economy,” he added.

ALSO READ-Labour vows to make Britain fastest-growing G7 economy 

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Lite Blogs London News Restaurant Reviews

World’s Most Romantic Restaurant

Clos Maggiore is all about elegant Franco-Italian Fine Dining in enchanting surroundings; writes FnB columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

Clos Maggiore is rightly referred to by many as an oasis of calm in the heart of Covent Garden in London. Influenced by the stylish country inns of Provence and Tuscany, the unique interiors create an unparalleled warmth and intimate vibe. The cherry blossomed adorned conservatory features a fully retractable glass roof creating a bright and airy dining space in summer months and in winter months it is transformed at night by candles, starlight and a crackling fire.

The menu is an evolving one, it changes regularly aligned with the seasonal availability of the finest locally sourced ingredients and to ensure new culinary experiences for regular diners.

Their globally renowned wine cellar boasts over 2,500 selections appealing to all occasions, ranging from a modest bottle of ‘Vin De Pays’ to the greatest names in the wine world. At Clos Maggiore they believe that wine is a fundamental part of their dining experience.

Their extensive and impressive cellar includes over 2,500 selections from 18 different countries and vintages spanning four centuries. Their 100 page wine list has received a multitude of awards over the years including one of the highest and most prestigious accolades – ‘The Wine Spectator Grand Award’ – one of only 70 restaurants worldwide to have achieved this honour.

Perfectly situated in the heart of Covent Garden and just off the world famous Piazza, their elegant first floor private dining room is the perfect location for private gatherings and special celebrations. With sumptuous wood panelling, a roaring log fire and sweeping views over Covent Garden, their cozy dining room evokes a rich, warm and inviting atmosphere.

Seating up to 18 guests, the room can be organised and dressed to suit an event. Their Chef and Head Sommelier work with discerning hosts to create a memorable menu to complement the occasion. Their professional and experienced events team can arrange everything from the flowers, drink & canapé reception, cake, chocolates, to the personalised menus and place cards to ensure guests have an unforgettable day.

The restaurant’s main ingredients are meticulously sourced directly from UK-based small producers to ensure they are the freshest and highest quality available. Seafood comes from the UK only and their fish comes directly from their suppliers’ fishing boats, allowing them to bypass the commercial fish markets.

The lamb comes from a farm in the depths of the Welsh mountains, game directly from the Windsor Royal Park and all their poultry from a family-run smallholding in Lancashire. Their fruit and vegetables are organically grown in Kent and delivered to their kitchen freshly picked each morning.

Their dedicated team of Sommeliers visit vineyards and taste hundreds of wines a year. They work closely with over 30 of London’s finest wine merchants to source wines at all levels.

Clos Maggiore offers a stunning contemporary take on modern European cuisine which has consistently been recognised and awarded with multiple AA-rosette awards. If you are looking to enjoy outstanding French-influenced cuisine and one of the world’s finest wine lists look no further than Clos Maggiore: London’s most romantic restaurant.

The service is impeccable, decor is magical, the vibe intimate, the cuisine is delectable, the presentation is charming, all in all it’s a decadent fine-dining meal experience to cherish. Columnist rating: all 5 stars, it’s a must visit, highly recommended!

ALSO READ: Pulia showcases authentic south of Italy style food in London

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Pulia showcases authentic south of Italy style food in London

Located in the food lovers paradise that is London’s Borough Market, Pulia showcases the south of Italy style food, wine and hospitality, writes FnB columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

Providing a more comfortable but equally vibrant alternative to the food outlets more commonly found in the area the restaurant
offers mouth-watering delicacies from Puglia, a region known for the quality, authenticity and taste of its food.

The rich soil, the balanced Mediterranean climate and the traditional cooking practices which have been passed down through the generations are the secrets behind Apulian cuisine – secrets that are now shared with London and beyond.

Warm and welcoming yet sophisticated the 60-cover Pulia gives diners the opportunity to enjoy regional antipasti such as Frisella Bruschetta with Capocollo Ham. Rocket &Balsamic Vinegar and Burrata from Andria with Cured Ham.

Starters are followed by mains such as Traditional Beef Sausage Spiral from Bari and Cuttlefish Stuffed with Bread crumbs, Parmesan &Parsley.

These are complemented by an array of fresh pasta to include Hand Rolled Strozzapreti with Fresh Grilled Tuna, Aubergine &Pachino Tomato Sauce and gourmet pizzas topped with the likes of Stracciatella cheese, spicy Nduja or black trufle.

Conscious of the need for many to share a meal together, Pulias menu also includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. This dazzling riot of colour, aroma and flavour can be enjoyed against a contemporary backdrop where the muted colour palette and generous use of natural materials such as wood and stone mimic the southern Italian landscape.

A variety of table sizes allow for sharing, whilst the large central bar is the perfect spot to enjoy an aperitivo and some wholewheat taralli (deliciously crunchy little snacks from Puglia made with white wine, flour and olive oil or traditional focaccia served piping hot from the oven.)

Rounding off this culinary experience is a concise wine list mainly comprising local vintages and an extensive cocktail collection. spearheaded of course by the perennially popular aperol Spritz.

Pulia invites discerning diners to enjoy a taste of Southern Italian life, while savouring regional specialties and experiencing a warm welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere. The vibe in the restaurant is charming and relaxed, the service is excellent and the meal experience is relaxing.

The brand was founded in 2012 with the mission of introducing Apulian culinary traditions to the world. With a careful selection of ingredients and local producers, Pulia restaurants in London and Brindisi Italy, are ambassadors of tastes, flavours and traditions of south east Italy.

To ensure that it’s menus are  totally authentic, Pulia also collaborates with renowned Apulian chefs to recreate local recipes and dishes.

ALSO READ: LAKE360: A Culinary Destination Like No Other

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US Embassy in London back to normal operations 

Director and Producer Aro Korol posted videos and pictures of the situation inside the embassy…reports Asian Lite News

A false security scare over a suspicious package found outside the building resulted in a lockdown of the US Embassy in London, but the embassy on Wednesday said it was resuming normal operations after it was cleared by the local authorities.

“The US Embassy is back to normal business operations. Local authorities investigated and cleared a suspicious package outside the Embassy,” tweeted US Embassy in London. The US Embassy thanked London’s Metropolitan Police Service for its “swift action.”

“Thanks to @metpoliceuk for your swift action, and thanks to all visitors for your cooperation and patience at this time,” it added.

Earlier, the US embassy in London was briefly put into a state of lockdown with those inside the building told to move away from windows.

One person who was inside said he was told to “clear the area”.

Director and Producer Aro Korol posted videos and pictures of the situation inside the embassy.

“Alarm at the US Embassy in London. They told us to move far from the windows. The situation is ongoing,” tweeted Korol.

Another social media user called Roshan Kar wrote, “Situation ongoing at US Embassy London. Told us to stay away from the windows…”

Police dogs were pictured patrolling the building and armed police carrying automatic assault rifles were inside talking with G4S security guards. (ANI)

ALSO READ-US court rejects 9/11 victims’ claim to Afghan assets

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Hollywood London News Theatre

The Lehman Trilogy: An extraordinary feat of storytelling

WEST END RETURN OF THE TONY AWARD®-WINNING, THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, IS NOW PLAYING AT THE GILLIAN LYNNE THEATRE UNTIL 20 MAY 2023 and is an exceptional and gripping theatre production – writes columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

The National Theatre and Neal Street Productions’ critically acclaimed, five-time Tony Award® winning production of The Lehman Trilogy has returned to London. The strictly limited 17-week run has begun performances at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Michael Balogun, Hadley Fraser and Nigel Lindsay are playing the Lehman brothers, and a cast of characters including their sons and grandsons. They are joined by pianist, Yshani Perinpanayagam.

Returning to perform the roles of Janitor and understudy is Ravi Aujla, with Will Harrison-Wallace and Leighton Pugh also returning to their understudy roles. Erika Gundesen is the understudy pianist.

Written by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power and directed by multi-award-winning director, Sam Mendes with set design by Es Devlin, The Lehman Trilogy is an extraordinary feat of storytelling told in three parts on a single evening.

On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside dreaming of a new life in the new world. He is joined by his two brothers, and an American epic begins. 163 years later, the firm they establish – Lehman Brothers – spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy, triggering the largest financial crisis in history. 

Weaving together nearly two centuries of family history, The Lehman Trilogy charts the humble beginnings, outrageous successes, and devastating failure of the financial institution that would ultimately bring the global economy to its knees.

The production is a masterwork, keeps one at the edge of the seat and keeps one gripped with its power packed performances, great set design, engrossing music score, captivating lighting and spectacular storytelling, it’s a must watch play. Highly recommended and columnist rating all 5 stars! 

Mendes is joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer, Katrina Lindsay; video designer, Luke Halls; lighting designer Jon Clark; composer and sound designer, Nick Powell; co-sound designer, Dominic Bilkey; music director, Candida Caldicot; movement director, Polly Bennett and West End director, Zoé Ford Burnett. Company voice work is by Charmian Hoare with casting by Jessica Ronane CDG. They are joined by associate director, Rory McGregor; associate casting director Abby Galvin, associate designer, Amalie White, associate video designer, Zakk Hein and associate lighting designer, Charlotte Burton.

The Lehman Trilogy was the most awarded play on Broadway in 2022, winning Best Play, Best Director, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Actor at the Tony Awards®. It also won the Drama League Award for Best Play and six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Play.

First commissioned by Neal Street Productions and developed and co-produced with the National Theatre at the Lyttelton theatre in 2018, followed by an acclaimed sold-out run at the Park Avenue Armory in the Spring of 2019, 

The Lehman Trilogy returned to London for a 16-week sold-out run at the Piccadilly Theatre in the West End from May until August 2019. Following Broadway’s 18-month shutdown, The Lehman Trilogy was the first British play to return to Broadway — where it had previously played four performances in March 2020 — for a much-lauded limited engagement at the Nederlander Theatre from September 2021 until January 2022. A Los Angeles transfer to Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre followed from March until April 2022.

Prior to this, the world premiere of Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy opened at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan in 2015. It turned out to be Artistic Director Luca Ronconi’s final production before his death. A long- term admirer of Ronconi’s, Sam Mendes was inspired to begin planning an English adaptation for Neal Street Productions. Ben Power was commissioned by Neal Street Productions to create a new version of this epic play, using a literal English translation by Mirella Cheeseman.

The Lehman Trilogy in the West End is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Preferred Card Partner.

National Theatre

The National Theatre’s mission is to make world-class theatre, for everyone. The NT creates and shares unforgettable stories with audiences across the UK and around the world. On its own stages, on tour, in schools, on cinema screens and streaming at home, it strives to be accessible, inclusive and sustainable. The National Theatre empowers artists and craftspeople to make world-leading work, investing in talent and developing new productions with a wide range of theatre companies at its New Work Department.

Neal Street Productions

Neal Street Productions is one of the UK’s most respected production companies, producing award-winning film, television and theatre. Founded 2003 by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris and Caro Newling, it makes distinctive, popular, award-winning projects on both sides of the Atlantic.

ALSO READ: Sanskrit play aromatises the Nehru Centre London

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India News London News UK News

Kishan Devani BEM elected to Board of London Liberal Democrats

After 3 successful years serving on the National Board of the Liberal Democrats, Professor Kishan Devani has been elected to the Executive/Board of the London.

The London Liberal Democrats bring together borough parties from across the capital as we work to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society to take London forward. The London Liberal Democrats are the regional party of the Liberal Democrats that operates across Greater London. It encompasses all 32 Boroughs and 73 Constituencies in London.

Kishan expressed his joy at being elected to serve on the Executive/Board “I am humbled and honoured to be elected onto London Liberal Democrats Executive. I have seen the immensely good work the London Liberal Democrats do and to be part of such a great team is huge honour. I look forward to serving alongside colleagues to bring about a more fairer, greener, caring and liberal London”

One of the youngest BAME Freemen of the City of London as well as a seasoned politician, consultant and educator, his work has been pioneering in the area of community cohesion within the British-Asian community. Since leaving university ten years ago, he has engaged young Asian people to get involved in British civic life through talks at schools, colleges and universities, with the aim of inspiring them to join the fields of politics, education and social service.

He has previously served as Deputy Chairman of the London Conservative Party, becoming the youngest politician of ethnic minority background to be appointed to the role, before leaving to join the Liberal Democrats. He previously serves as a National Board Member of the Lib Dems and is currently Vice President of the Liberal Democrats Campaign for Race Equality and Hon.Vice President of the Green Liberal Democrats, aswell as serving on the Board of the Lib Dems Business Network.

Kishan was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in Her New Years Honour’s List 2020 with the BEM (British Empire Medal) for Services to Community Cohesion. Kishan was also made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2015 and was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London – making him one of the youngest BAME Freemans of London.

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Sanskrit play aromatises the Nehru Centre London

Believed to be written in the 7th century by Bodhayana, Bhagavadajjukam is a satirical comedy and a literary masterpiece…reports Asian Lite News

Sanskrit play Bhagavadajjukam was staged at the Nehru Centre to a full hall of audience on 10th February evening, marking Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in the UK. The unique first-of-its-kind programme was organised by Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence, in collaboration with the Central Sanskrit University, India whose artist delegation arrived in the UK earlier in the week.

Opening words were rendered by Sanjay Sharma, Deputy Director of the Nehru Centre (ICCR London). Peace prayers by Samragyi Pokhrel and Samriddhi Pokhrel representing Sanskrit @ St. James, and song by Shalini Jeevanigi and Jyothirmayi Rampeta have set the Sanskrit tone to the evening. Best wishes message given by honourable Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy was disseminated by Sushil Rapatwar. Vandana by Ragasudha Vinjamuri invoked the presiding deity of the play. Under Prof. Ramakant Pandey’s direction, Raghavendra Bhat, Ravish Hegde, Devendra Pathak, Harish Mishra, Sushil Rapatwar, Vaidehi Phagre, Kalyani Phagre, Yogesha Bhat and Ragasudha Vinjamuri have played the roles that have immensely captivated the audience.

Believed to be written in the 7th century by Bodhayana, Bhagavadajjukam is a satirical comedy and a literary masterpiece revolving around the main characters Guru (Bhagavan), his disciple (Shandilya) and a beautiful courtesan (Ajjuka).

For the promotion of Sanskrit and other unique languages in the UK, Dr Rishi Handa- Head of Sanskrit at St James School, Acharya Durga Prasad Pokhrel and Cllr. Sharad Kumar Jha were felicitated. Shri Kapil Dev, Minister of Public Diplomacy & Consular at the High Commission of India was in attendance. Radhika Joshi anchored the event, supported by Jyothirmayi.

Central Sanskrit University has the unique distinction of being the largest and the only multi-campus language university in the world. The University also acts as the nodal agency for the implementation of Sanskrit-related policies & schemes of the Government of India and works in close coordination with the Ministry of Education. The President of India is the Visitor of the University, Union Education Minister of India is the Chancellor and Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi is the present Vice Chancellor of the University. The play is part of multiple projects planned between the University and Sanskruti Centre. Another performance is slated for Dublin, Ireland the following weekend, in association with the School of Philosophy and Economic Science, spearheaded by Prof. Rutger and supported by the Embassy of India in Ireland.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/events/889341465723281

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1BVH4Mnudw

ALSO READ-Utsav – The Celebration hosted at London’s Nehru Centre

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Events London News Music

Sitarist Roopa Panesar set to enchant London with ATMA concert

One of UK’s finest sitarist Roopa Panesar In concert at London Barbican. A preview by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International

British-Indian star sitarist Roopa Panesar will present a concert of deeply soulful music at the Barbican Centre in London on Saturday 18th February 2023, from her new spring album, ATMA. Translating as ‘The Soul’, ATMA beautifully portrays life – love, loss, grief, separation and ultimately the bliss of union.

After a period of personal loss, Roopa wrote the music for ATMA which was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. The music echoes feelings associated with challenges of life, with the intention to uplift. At a time of personal and global turmoil, Roopa Panesar reflects via her music.

Roopa Panesar will perform in a wide range of styles from Hindustani classical music, western classical, jazz and world music. Roopa will be joined at the Barbican Centre on February 18th by leading Indian classical and jazz musicians, bringing the full panoply of Indian music to this vibrant cultural centre.

Roopa Panesar has performed for King Charles III formerly HRH The Prince of Wales at VJ75 Day as broadcast for BBC1 Television. Roopa has toured India, the USA and performs consistently in the UK.

ATMA live concert is produced by Asian Arts Agency in association with the Barbican Centre London.

The album ATMA is funded by Asian Arts Agency as part of its Breaking Barriers ‘Innovate’ Music Commissions and recorded at Real World Studios. ATMA follows on from Roopa Panesar’s critically acclaimed album of morning ragas called SUBHA (2022). ATMA will be available at the Barbican on 18th February 2023 ahead of its national and international release on March 24th 2023 through Asian Arts Agency.

ALSO READ: Utsav – The Celebration hosted at London’s Nehru Centre