A.R. Rahman is British Council’s ‘India/UK Together Season of Culture’ Ambassador

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British Council, the UK’s international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations, has announced the India/UK Together Season of Culture, a celebration of the long-standing relationship between the UK and India. The Season of Culture that marks India’s 75^th anniversary has been officially launched by Jan Thomson, Deputy High Commissioner to India, and Barbara Wickham, OBE, Director India, British Council, from the iconic British Council building – a vibrant cultural epicenter in the heart of the national capital.

Padma Bhushan A.R. Rahman, who has won global awards and the hearts of millions of fans across the world for his compositions, has been announced as the India/UK Together Season of Culture ambassador.

The Season of Culture aims to build on the British Council’s work in India and strengthen India-UK collaboration in the areas of Arts, English and Education. It will enable collaborations between emerging artists and arts organizations from both nations, acting as a platform for greater artistic exchange, global opportunities and exposure.

Over 1,400 artists will showcase their collaborations to millions of audiences across India, Britain, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, through a wide array or arts such as theater, dance, visual arts, literature, music, architecture, design, fashion, tech-art, and new media art.

Culture is a strong unifying theme and a key pillar of the India-UK bilateral relationship, underlined in the recently signed ‘UK-India Roadmap 2030’ to elevate bilateral ties and enhance collaboration to support the development of the creative economies of both nations.

Barbara Wickham OBE, Director India, British Council, said, “India/UK Together Season of Culture marks the deep connections between our nations and the 75^th anniversary of India. The creative collaborations of emerging Indian and UK artists and arts organizations will juxtapose art with social dialogue, exploring shared global challenges such as environmental sustainability, inclusion, gender equality and accessibility, and empowering young leaders of the future through the arts. People in both countries will have the chance to experience innovative and exciting creative work from some of the most promising UK and Indian artists pushing the envelope of creativity and the infusion of creative tech.”

“We are excited to have the globally acclaimed A.R. Rahman as our Season Ambassador. He has been a significant adviser to the Season of Culture and his work and professional journey truly embody what it stands for – working together, and artistic output that captures the imagination of the world,” she added.

Speaking on the association with the Season of Culture, Amish Tripathi, Minister (Culture), Indian High Commission, UK, & Director, Nehru Centre, London, said, “With a burgeoning economic relationship, closely aligned governments, and a living bridge in terms of the Indian diaspora in the UK, the sky is the limit for the partnership between India and the UK. My compliments are to the British Council for driving the Season of Culture. The Nehru Centre London, under the leadership of ICCR & the High Commission of India to the UK, is very proud to partner in this very important initiative.”

Speaking on his association with the Season of Culture, A.R. Rahman said, “I am honored to be the Ambassador for British Council’s India/UK Together, a Season of Culture, and to celebrate the strong friendship between our two countries. Today, creative expression and exchange can nurture young talent and create a global stage for fair and equitable access to arts. As an artist, it is a pleasure to be part of an innovative cultural program that supports creative excellence and artistic appreciation, and brings diverse audiences together.”