Personal Reflections, Hidden Histories, and the Road Ahead My journey into the field of preserving South Asian and Muslim heritage in Scotland was not planned, it began with a question that I often pondered and reflected on, which my then teenage son asked: “Why are we in Scotland?” I did not realise then how deeply […]
Making Heritage Visible via Projects, Partnerships, and Public Impact The year 2026 feels both like a milestone and a moment for quiet reflection. Ten years ago, when I began my journey with Colourful Heritage as Project Officer, I could not have imagined the depth, richness, and emotional resonance of the stories that would unfold before […]
We welcome you to a screening of an Indian queer family drama KUCH SAPNEY APNE that has won multiple awards and is a heartwarming film about relationships, that is sure to light up your festivities.
Come join us at Damsel Collective for a powerful evening of storytelling, dialogue, and reflection as we explore the history, identity, and direction of the Bangali community. This special event—part of South Asian Heritage Month—delves deep into the lived experiences of Bangali people, from migration and memories to activism and artistry. “Roots to Routes” charts the journey from ancestral […]
Where are you from? No, where are you really from? Whether or not we trace our families from South Asia, British people deserve a better understanding of our shared past, and opportunities to explore and recognise the complexities and contractions of empire. Careless or wilful amnesia has allowed the British migration narrative to begin in […]
Join the Cockney Sikh and walk down memory lane.
This exhibition at SOAS Gallery features works by 26 emerging and established artists from six South Asian countries, including newly commissioned pieces. (Un)Layering the Future Past of South Asia: Young Artists’ Voices provides a global platform for a new generation of South Asian artists spotlighting shared histories and resilience in the region. Curated by Salima Hashmi and Manmeet K. Walia, the exhibition brings together artists from six countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan, whose works explore urgent themes such as ecological fragility, gender justice, displacement, and political unrest.
As we celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with the theme ‘Free to Be Me’, I reflect on my unique journey and the challenges I’ve overcome as a South Asian woman. Growing up, there was an expectation that I would pursue a traditional career in engineering, medicine, law, or accountancy. While I did study engineering initially, […]
I’ve often been asked where I’m from and when I respond in the hope that it’s a sufficient answer to the question, there’s usually the expected follow-up question; ‘yes, but where are you really from?’ It’s a familiar question for most people of colour. Some people respond to the ‘where are you from?’ question stating […]
My dad was just a teenager when he arrived in Bradford in the 1970s. With the support of extended family he found work, learnt the language, and a few years later returned to Pakistan to marry my mum. I was born in the 80s, the second girl in a house of five children. We found […]
South Asian Heritage Month dates changed to "July" from 2026 — Learn more here →
