British Council

Page Content   Local Links   Footer

British Council - Arts

The Southbank Centre's annual festival explores the rich cultural connections between Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK, through a series of music, performance, literature, fashion and design events. This year's Alchemy festival runs from Thursday 12 - Sunday 22 April and features performances from Asian Dub Foundation, Purbayan Chatterjee, Susheela Raman, and Raghu Dixit collaborating with members of Britain's renowned folk big-band Bellowhead.

The British Council has partnered with Southbank Centre to produce this series of events as part of the Alchemy 2012 programme:

Bickram Ghosh, Papon and Rachel Sermanni
Troikala - The Art Within a Trio
Friday 13 April 2012 @ Purcell Room

World-renowned percussionist Bickram Ghosh, Assamese folk-indie singer Papon and Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni search for a musical synergy in folk music that transcends borders.

Find out more information and book tickets

Susheela Raman and Pakistan Quawaalis
Monday 16 April 2012 @ Queen Elizabeth Hall

Tamil Londoner Susheela Raman, with her band of London and Rajasthan based musicians, takes on the mighty Mein Mir Qawals, the Sufi powerhouses of Lahore.

Find out more information and book tickets

Whale Music
Tuesday 17 April 2012 @ Purcell Room

Written and performed by Matthew Sharp, Sameer Rao and Andrew Motion (Poet Laureate from 1999 - 2009), 'Whale Music' is a long-distance love song with cello and bansuri flute. The evening will also include 'Rag/Bach' - an exchange between Sameer Rao and Matthew Sharp, sharing and celebrating their individual music styles.

Find out more information and book tickets

The Raghu Dixit Project with members of Bellowhead featuring choreography by Gauri Sharma Tripathi
Wednesday 18 April 2012 - Thursday 19 April 2012 @ Queen Elizabeth Hall

Based on one of India's most favourite myths, this concert sees Indian folk-rock star Raghu Dixit and band in a new collaboration with members of Britain's renowned folk big-band Bellowhead - Andy Mellon (trumpet), Brendan Kelly (saxophone) and Pete Flood (drums) - joined by dancers recreating the classic story.

Find out more information and book tickets

Alchemy Cobra Catwalk
Thursday 19 April 2012 @ The Clore Ballroom

In collaboration with Blow PR we bring some of the most exciting fashion designers currently working in India to London, including Aneeth Arora, Gaurav Gupta, Rahul Mishra and Nachiket Barve. Following the show there will be a chance to talk to the designers about their work.

Find out more information and book tickets

Find out more about the Alchemy Festival on the Southbank Centre website

British Council Arts

Local Links

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our commitment to freedom of information. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.

© British Council

Text Only Options

Top of page


Text Only Options

Open the original version of this page.

Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.