ShruthiUK Presents the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Indian Classical Music, Culture, and Youth Leadership
ShruthiUK proudly hosted the 11th Annual Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival (BTF) 2025, a remarkable celebration that brought together the British Indian community and global audiences in honour of Indian classical music, dance, and heritage. The festival paid tribute to the revered Saint and composer Thyagaraja, showcasing the rich traditions of Carnatic music and classical arts with a strong focus on youth leadership and cultural pride.
The in-person event was held on 26 April 2025 at the Consulate General of India in Birmingham, in partnership with the Consul General of India, His Excellency Dr. M. Venkatachalam, IFS, who served as the Chief Patron. The festival’s significance was further elevated by endorsement from UNESCO UK, underscoring its role in preserving intangible cultural heritage and fostering community cohesion.
This year’s edition of the festival was honoured with warm messages of support from the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. President Murmu expressed her pride in seeing the Indian diaspora in the UK actively preserving and promoting Indian arts, congratulating ShruthiUK and the British Carnatic Choir for their inspiring work. Prime Minister Modi applauded the festival’s role in continuing the legacy of the Singing Saint Thyagaraja across continents, highlighting the importance of unity and cultural connection.
The Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival 2025 featured a vibrant array of performances, blending the artistry of both seasoned professionals and emerging young talents. The programme included soulful Carnatic vocal renditions, intricate instrumental solos, and mesmerizing classical dance forms, each performance reflecting deep devotion and mastery. The festival served as a platform for nurturing young musicians and dancers, emphasizing the continuity of India’s rich classical heritage through future generations.
At the heart of the festival was a musical tribute to Saint Thyagaraja, whose compositions remain central to Carnatic music. The event celebrated his spiritual and musical legacy through captivating performances that stirred the audience’s emotions and strengthened cultural bonds. The dedication of the artists highlighted the festival’s broader mission to promote Indian classical arts beyond geographic boundaries and foster intergenerational exchange.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the British Carnatic Choir (BCC) Awards for Arts and Culture 2025. These awards honoured individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to Indian classical music, arts education, and cultural outreach in the UK. The recipients of the 2025 awards included Stephen Maddock OBE, Emma Stanning, Pramod Rudrapatna, Prasanna Kumar, Professor Leonardo Bonetti, Peter Knott, and Chris Passey. Their diverse achievements spanned lifelong musical service, impactful community engagement, education, and research, underscoring the vibrant and resilient nature of Indian classical traditions within the British Indian diaspora.
The festival extended its reach globally with two virtual events following the in-person gathering. On 3 May 2025, the Virtual Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival brought together a worldwide audience through performances, masterclasses, and intercultural dialogues, highlighting the inclusiveness and adaptability of the festival. The season concluded on 9 May 2025 with the Virtual Young Indian Cultural Ambassadors (YICA) Awards 2025, celebrating 27 exceptional young individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary talent and commitment to Indian classical music and dance. Now in its third year, the YICA Awards have become a prestigious platform recognizing youth excellence, cultural innovation, and leadership.
These awardees represented a range of classical disciplines, including vocal and instrumental Carnatic music, various classical dance forms, and other traditional arts. Their passion and discipline serve as inspiring examples for the wider community, demonstrating how cultural heritage can thrive through new generations. The event was further enriched by messages of encouragement from legendary artists and cultural experts, reinforcing the significance of nurturing future custodians of Indian classical arts.
The UK National Commission for UNESCO formally endorsed both the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival and the YICA Awards, praising their alignment with UNESCO’s mission to celebrate cultural diversity, foster creativity, and empower youth through the arts. In the 80th anniversary year of UNESCO’s founding in the UK, these initiatives were highlighted for their contributions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable communities. James Ömer Bridge, Secretary-General and Chief Executive of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, commended the organisers for their dedication to cultural enrichment and social impact, expressing optimism for their continued success.
Support for the festival was also strong from prominent leaders within the West Midlands. Figures such as Sir Andy Street CBE, former Combined Mayor of the West Midlands; Dawn Ward CBE, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands; Mark Smith, High Sheriff of the West Midlands; and Dr. Paul Sabapathy CVO CBE lent their patronage to the event. Their involvement highlighted the festival’s importance as a dynamic cultural occasion that enriches the region’s artistic diversity and promotes community unity through Indian classical music and dance.
Dr. Chithra Ramakrishnan MBE, FRSA, FRAS, Founder and Artistic Director of ShruthiUK and the British Carnatic Choir, reflected on the significance of the festival: “The Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival 2025 represents the strength of our shared heritage and the promise of future generations. It exemplifies how music and the arts can serve as powerful tools for cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and community cohesion. Through this festival, we are not only preserving the rich traditions of Carnatic music but also creating a space where generations connect, young talents thrive, and diverse communities celebrate shared values. Receiving blessings from the Honourable President and Prime Minister of India is not just an honour—it is a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and promote our cultural legacy.”
ShruthiUK, a not-for-profit South Asian arts organisation based in Solihull, West Midlands, UK, is committed to promoting Indian classical music and cultural education across the UK. Through its work in performance, mentorship, and intercultural collaboration, ShruthiUK acts as a bridge between tradition and contemporary expression, nurturing future cultural leaders and fostering vibrant artistic communities.
The Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival 2025 stands as a testament to the enduring power of Indian classical arts to unite, inspire, and enrich communities—both locally and globally—while celebrating the legacy of one of India’s greatest musical saints.
