Wandsworth celebrates South Asian Heritage Month

Receiving grants of up to £2,000 from Wandsworth Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this year’s programme includes a variety of events with comedy, food, music and workshops on offer plus celebrations of DIY culture and of Tara founder Jatinder Verma.

Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture year is supercharging the already vibrant, diverse sector made up of world class institutions and grassroots talent, using the power of culture to transform lives, spark joy, connect people and improve wellbeing, never more important than now.

Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cabinet Member for Business, Voluntary Services and Culture said:

‘We want to make sure diverse voices are at the heart of our programme as London Borough of Culture 2025 and we’re proud to offer grants to these brilliant projects, which are just part of what’s on offer in Wandsworth during South Asian History Month. We hope people of South Asian heritage can engage with activities and events that are relevant to them, and that the wider community can be inspired by this rich and vibrant culture.’

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: ‘More exciting events are on offer as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture, as Wandsworth celebrates South Asian Heritage Month.

‘It’s great to see the diversity and creativity of our city being showcased, as we continue to build a better, more prosperous London for all.’

Full programme details

Sri Lankan Culture Collective 2025: where tradition and culture are reimagined

A multi-day festival showcasing the food, music, and comedy from the modern Sri Lankan diaspora. From cutting-edge comedy, avant-garde music to a hopper-making masterclass, wine pairing workshop, and an intimate supper club.

Shatha Abumorr - Cultural Community Garden

The Ethnicity Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) South Asian Heritage Month project will transform Tooting Community Garden into a vibrant cultural hub through collaborative art workshops, community engagement, and a celebratory event honouring heritage, creativity, and well-being. Throughout July and August, artist and designer Roopa S Basu will lead three sessions of workshops at Mushkil Aasaan and Tooting Community Garden. These workshops will bring together community members to create artistic and functional garden artefacts.

Bhuchar Boulevard - Retracing our Footsteps: From South London to the South Bank

Bhuchar Boulevard marks SAHM 2025 through the public sharing of Wandsworth’s rich South Asian performing arts heritage. Bhuchar Boulevard celebrates the tenure of Tara Arts’ founder, Jatinder Verma, through excerpts and readings of Tara’s prominent works, a visit to the National Theatre Archive, and the celebration of Professor Jerri Daboo’s book about this pioneering legacy.

Hamja Ahsan - Zine Mela: South Asian Journeys in DIY Cultures

Zine fair and exhibition of South Asian and diaspora DIY Cultures; zine makers, indie comic book artists, punk ephemera, graphic design and illustrators, archiving emergent zine fairs across South Asia at WIP Space Studios.

Asma Choudhry - Heritage Harmony: South Asia's Rich Traditions

A cultural initiative celebrating the vibrant heritage of South Asia through traditional attire, art, storytelling, Cultural games and interactive workshops, fostering creativity, community engagement, and cultural appreciation at Alton Community Centre.

Roopa Basu - Block Printing

Roopa is a collaborative artwork company creating a shamiyana style ceiling installation that celebrates South Asian block printing while bringing residents together to create a vibrant, collaborative artwork that reflects shared heritage and creativity.

Ahista Stories & Paaras Abbas - Bring Your Own Fabric Workshops

The series of three workshops at Tooting Works - natural dye, block printing and embroidery - encourage upcycling and celebrate heritage South Asian crafts.

Krishna Istha - Intergenerational Workshop

This free Intergenerational music workshop explores South Asian heritage, music, and personal stories creating space for creativity and connection at Battersea Arts Centre.

Explore the programme on the Welcome to Wandsworth website