Eight decades after India gained independence, its influence extends far beyond its borders. Across Britain, generations of the Indian diaspora are not only preserving their heritage but actively finding new ways to present India’s stories, art, food, music, and traditions to wider global audiences.
Far from simply looking back, British Asians are providing Indian culture with dynamic new platforms across every creative discipline, ensuring that heritage remains a living, evolving force.
The India-Britain cultural link
British Indian voices have also shaped how India and Britain’s shared history are understood. Author Sathnam Sanghera, whose parents migrated from Punjab, explores identity, migration and Britain’s relationship with India in works such as ‘The Boy with the Topknot’ and ‘Empireland '. His writing reflects how British Asians navigate both their Indian heritage and contemporary British identity.
This connection extends beyond literature into Britain’s cultural institutions. The British Museum houses more than 16,000 Indian objects, from paintings and sculptures to textiles, coins and Hindu idols, many of which remain deeply significant to the Indian diaspora. Food, too, has become a powerful cultural bridge, evolving from neighbourhood curry houses to Michelin-starred restaurants. Chefs such as Asma Khan, founder of London’s Darjeeling Express, have helped reshape perceptions of Indian cuisine by showcasing regional, home-style cooking and the stories behind it.
The influence of Indian heritage is equally visible in Britain’s theatre and cinema. Sudha Bhuchar, co-founder of Tamasha Theatre, created a vital platform for South Asian drama with the landmark production of Untouchable, adapted from Mulk Raj Anand’s novel and performed in both English and Hindi. In cinema, filmmakers such as Gurinder Chadha have explored the intersection of British and Indian identities, with Bend It Like Beckham becoming an international success. Indian representation has also reached global audiences through Netflix’s Bridgerton, which placed sisters Kate and Edwina Sharma, played by Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran, at the heart of its second season.
This cultural exchange continues through dance, music and fashion. Birmingham-born Kathak dancer Aakash Odedra blends classical Indian forms with contemporary movement, while London-born sitarist Anoushka Shankar has taken Indian classical music to global audiences through innovative collaborations. British-Indian designer Supriya Lele similarly combines her heritage with modern London fashion, incorporating Indian textiles and draping techniques into contemporary designs.
Beyond the arts, Indian culture has also become an important part of Britain’s public life. London’s BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden showcases traditional Hindu architecture while serving as both a place of worship and a landmark open to visitors. Annual celebrations such as London Diwali, along with cultural centres offering programmes in Indian languages, music, dance and crafts, continue to bring India’s rich heritage into Britain’s wider communities.
