South Asia includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and South Asians make up 20 per cent of London’s population. It’s safe to say that London loves to embrace South Asian culture, whether it’s through food or music.
This year’s theme — Roots to Routes — is being interpreted through a lively collection of cultural events across London. Whether it’s exclusive screenings or a mela (a fair, or festival), here are some of the most exciting events happening around the capital.
The Cinnamon Bazaar chaat challenge
UK Chaat Challenge at Cinnamon Bazaar
Cinnamon Bazaar
After the success of last year’s chaat challenge, Vivek Singh has announced the return of his competitive pani puri eating challenge at his Cinnamon Bazaar restaurant in Richmond. Entries cost £10, and pani puri lovers are invited to attempt to eat 50 pani puris as quickly as possible for the chance to win a year’s supply of chaat. If last year’s leaderboard is anything to go by, this is a hard one to win.
Bollywood Mela in Camden Market
Camden Mela
Camden Mela
Camden Market will be celebrating South Asian Heritage Month by throwing a big Bollywood Mela. The two-day festival will celebrate the vibrant culture through music and dance performances, family crafts, food, a giant puppet display, rikshaw displays, henna, and face painting. Taking place outdoors, this one is ideal for the family as there’s so much to do and see.
South Asian Heritage Late at Pitzhanger Gallery
Pitzhanger Gallery
West London’s coolest independent art gallery invites Londoners to join them for a special South Asian Heritage Month late. It will be exploring the presence of South Asian heritage in areas such as Ealing, Southall and beyond with great food, art and workshops. Highlights include the Crisps But Better food stall from Vegetarian Brown Girls; Indian street food from Shree Krishna Vada Pav; access to their South Asian focused exhibitions from Permindar Kaur and Prem Sahib; a live podcast recording from The Migration Menu; and a Banghra workshop. The late works on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Saroj Patel
Artist Saroj Patel has taken over Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place Roof Gardens with a colourful mural display made up of hand-sewn flags to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. Speaking of the artwork, Patel said: “These artworks are a celebration of my journeys across India and a reflection of my identity as a second-generation British Indian. The installation brings together a printed mural and hand-made flags — two interconnected elements inspired by the places, people and patterns that have shaped me. Together, the mural and flags speak to a duality: the meeting of the two homelands, India and the UK.”
Until August 17, Crossrail Place Roof Gardens, E14 5AB
Trishna’s Western Ghats menu
Trishna Western Ghats menu
Dishes from India’s Northern regions are often compared in South Asian restaurants here in the UK, but there’s still not a huge focus on the more southern regions. That’s why Trishna have created a bespoke menu, solely focused on highlighting food from the Western Ghats region. The seasonal menu includes dishes such as pepper prawn chukka, chicken chop ghee roast and beef short rib coconut fry.
Speaking about the menu, executive chef Sajeev Nair said, “My home was my inspiration. I was born in a hilly village in Kerala, a part of the Western Ghats, and the landscape has hugely influenced my approach to cooking ever since. While it may not be so familiar to many in the UK, the Western Ghats covers a huge area and traverses many regions. In some form or another, its influence is present in almost every Indian restaurant in London and the world over.
“For this menu, I really wanted to celebrate just how bountiful this incredibly diverse terrain is. Through the spices, rich and varied ingredients and cooking techniques we are using on the menu, we chose to spotlight the beauty of the Western Ghats, a part of the continued efforts we make to hero the best of west coastal Indian cookery from our kitchen in Marylebone.”
