Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Dr Nandakumara MBE honoured for bridging Indian culture and UK arts

He spoke fondly of how passion aligned with opportunity

Dr M N Nandakumara

The award marks a significant milestone in Dr Nandakumara’s lifelong service

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Dr M N Nandakumara MBE, the long-serving Executive Director of The Bhavan in London, was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) by the University of London Worldwide on 29 April 2025. The award was presented by Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Thomson CBE during the graduation ceremony held at the Barbican Centre.

Each year, the University of London Worldwide recognises individuals of outstanding achievement and distinction. This year’s honorary doctorate celebrates Dr Nandakumara’s decades-long contribution to the promotion of Indian arts, literature, and culture in the United Kingdom.


Delivering his acceptance speech at the event, Dr Nandakumara reflected on the unexpected journey that brought him from a small village in Karnataka to becoming a cultural stalwart in London. “Many sons and daughters of India have migrated to distant lands to pursue grand careers and fulfil mighty ambitions... but I am not one of them,” he began.

He described his early life in Mattur, a village known as the “Sanskrit Village”, and his plans to pursue a modest teaching career. “Until the mid-1970s, I was on a conventional path for someone from my village, Mattur, renowned as the Sanskrit Village.” But that path changed, he said, due to the influence of three people who shaped his future: his father-in-law Mathoor Krishnamurti, renowned SOAS Indologist Dr John Marr, and his UK-based PhD advisor, Dr Jeanine “Shanti” Miller.

“Upon my arrival in November 1977, I longed for my village and India, viewing my time in the UK as temporary, just enough to complete my PhD and return to my intended role as a college lecturer,” he told the audience.

However, his association with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, then a fledgling cultural institution in London, changed everything. Initially joining as a volunteer and teacher, Dr Nandakumara became instrumental in transforming it into a vibrant centre for Indian classical music, dance, drama, and literature.

He spoke fondly of how passion aligned with opportunity. “Finding a job that resonates with our passions is an ideal we all strive for, yet it rarely materialises,” he said. “I am deeply grateful that this has been a reality for me since my first day at The Bhavan.”

Over the years, Dr Nandakumara has hosted and collaborated with many leading personalities from India and the UK. But what brings him the most satisfaction is the broader impact of his work. “It has been fulfilling to witness the integral role that India's arts now play in the cultural fabric of the United Kingdom,” he said. “Having even a small impact on that change brings me immense joy.”

He went on to thank the key figures who helped shape his journey: his father-in-law Krishnamurti, mentors Dr Marr and Dr Miller, former and current Bhavan chairpersons, and his wife Janaki, who he called “an incredible companion and support.”

Dr Nandakumara concluded his speech with two verses from the Vedic tradition: “Aa no bhadraah kratavo yantu vishwatah” – let noble thoughts come to us from every direction – and “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” – the world is one family. “This phrase perfectly encapsulates my experience in London,” he added.

“Congratulations to everyone who has graduated today and thank you for this incredible honour. Namaste.”

The award marks a significant milestone in Dr Nandakumara’s lifelong service to culture and education, cementing his legacy as a bridge between Indian heritage and British society.

More For You

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

TWO brothers accused of assaulting a man inside a Starbucks and later attacking police officers at Manchester Airport are standing trial, with the prosecution arguing they used "unlawful and extreme violence".

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his older brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, are said to have acted aggressively on July 23 last year while at the airport to pick up their mother, who had arrived on a flight from Qatar.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less