Date
Saturday, August 03, 2024
Category
Exhibition
Published
Aug 19, 2025
Article Summary
The Indian Heritage Centre UK celebrated the 77th anniversary of Indian independence with an insightful event featuring historical talks on Gandhi's freedom struggle and feminist art exploring Indian women's portraits from pre- and post-independence eras.
Full Article
The Indian Heritage Centre, Cardiff Branch recently celebrated the 77th anniversary of Indian independence with a culturally enriching event held at Llanishen Baptist Church on August 3rd, 2024.
The celebration featured Dr. Padma Anagol, Reader in Modern Indian History at Cardiff University, who delivered an insightful talk on Gandhi and the Indian people's participation in the freedom struggle. Following this presentation, visual feminist artist Ms. Prith B from Cardiff shared the stories behind paintings, focusing specifically on pre- and post-independence Indian women's portraits.
Mrs. Tripti Megeri, CEO of IHC, opened the event with a welcome speech, while Ms. Shivani Kothegal introduced the speakers. The program was enhanced by Dr. Girish's mesmerizing multilingual patriotic songs that energized the audience.
Dr. Anagol's presentation began by challenging the British Raj's confident belief that there was "no nation in India" and that there never would be such a feeling of "oneness as a nation" (Sir Strachey, 1880). She outlined the rise of economic nationalism among early Congress moderates in India and demonstrated how Indian poverty was directly linked to its political dependence on Britain. Her talk covered Gandhi's key principles and his successful mass mobilization strategies.
Ms. Prith B delivered a fascinating presentation exploring stories uncovered through pre- and post-Independence Indian women's portraits. She brought various paintings to the event, unraveling the significance of several remarkable Indian women from history. One highlight was a beautiful portrait of Sarojini Naidu, the Indian political activist and poet, which demonstrated her pivotal role in the Indian Independence movement against the British Raj and her work motivating women to resist British rule through poetry.
The event was attended by officers of the Royal Navy and South Wales Police, with Lieutenant Commander Suzanne Lynch and PCSO Paulina Karcocha expressing appreciation for IHC's efforts in bringing communities together.
Dr. G Kothegal delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging contributions from all volunteers, attendees, and organizers. He emphasized the importance of such events in fostering amity, cooperation, and awareness among BAME and other communities in Wales.
The Indian Heritage Centre, which made its soft launch in October 2023, operates on the principle of "VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM" - a Sanskrit phrase meaning "THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY." Its objectives include promoting social cohesion and inclusion, alleviating isolation and social exclusion, fostering cultural awareness at grassroots levels, and supporting the Welsh government's anti-racist Wales action plan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Miss Megan Cook recently completed an MA in History at Cardiff University. She is now a doctoral student at the Department of History at Cardiff University under the supervision of Dr. Padma Anagol. She works on Welsh women's roles and influence in colonial India.
The celebration featured Dr. Padma Anagol, Reader in Modern Indian History at Cardiff University, who delivered an insightful talk on Gandhi and the Indian people's participation in the freedom struggle. Following this presentation, visual feminist artist Ms. Prith B from Cardiff shared the stories behind paintings, focusing specifically on pre- and post-independence Indian women's portraits.
Mrs. Tripti Megeri, CEO of IHC, opened the event with a welcome speech, while Ms. Shivani Kothegal introduced the speakers. The program was enhanced by Dr. Girish's mesmerizing multilingual patriotic songs that energized the audience.
Dr. Anagol's presentation began by challenging the British Raj's confident belief that there was "no nation in India" and that there never would be such a feeling of "oneness as a nation" (Sir Strachey, 1880). She outlined the rise of economic nationalism among early Congress moderates in India and demonstrated how Indian poverty was directly linked to its political dependence on Britain. Her talk covered Gandhi's key principles and his successful mass mobilization strategies.
Ms. Prith B delivered a fascinating presentation exploring stories uncovered through pre- and post-Independence Indian women's portraits. She brought various paintings to the event, unraveling the significance of several remarkable Indian women from history. One highlight was a beautiful portrait of Sarojini Naidu, the Indian political activist and poet, which demonstrated her pivotal role in the Indian Independence movement against the British Raj and her work motivating women to resist British rule through poetry.
The event was attended by officers of the Royal Navy and South Wales Police, with Lieutenant Commander Suzanne Lynch and PCSO Paulina Karcocha expressing appreciation for IHC's efforts in bringing communities together.
Dr. G Kothegal delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging contributions from all volunteers, attendees, and organizers. He emphasized the importance of such events in fostering amity, cooperation, and awareness among BAME and other communities in Wales.
The Indian Heritage Centre, which made its soft launch in October 2023, operates on the principle of "VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM" - a Sanskrit phrase meaning "THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY." Its objectives include promoting social cohesion and inclusion, alleviating isolation and social exclusion, fostering cultural awareness at grassroots levels, and supporting the Welsh government's anti-racist Wales action plan.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Miss Megan Cook recently completed an MA in History at Cardiff University. She is now a doctoral student at the Department of History at Cardiff University under the supervision of Dr. Padma Anagol. She works on Welsh women's roles and influence in colonial India.