South Asian Heritage Celebrated at Pitzhanger Manor
MP and Deputy Mayor of London join event featuring food, dance and art
Bhangra dancers with Deirdre Costigan, MP for Ealing Southall (far right) & Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London's Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice. Picture: Roger Green
August 11, 2025
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery hosted a vibrant celebration of South Asian heritage on 7 August, drawing a diverse crowd for its Thursday Late Special. The event, themed “Roots to Routes,” explored the connections between food, identity, dance, and art, with notable guests including Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, and Deirdre Costigan, MP for Ealing Southall.
The evening featured a live recording of The Migration Menu podcast, where Dr Weekes-Bernard joined anthropologists Dr Luke Heslop and Professor James Staples, along with British-Bengali chef Sohini Banerjee, to discuss the cultural significance of South Asian cuisine and its ties to memory and migration. Reflecting on her own experiences, Dr Weekes-Bernard recalled her first outing to a South Asian restaurant in Brent at age 16, describing it as a formative moment that shaped her appreciation for food. She noted that in a city where over 300 languages are spoken, food and restaurants can foster unity and positivity.
Art and performance were central to the evening’s programme. In the main gallery, two life drawing sessions were led by the 2B Or Not 2B Collective, facilitated by Ealing resident Jessica Au and Isher Dhiman, a Greenford High School alumna. Dancers Mithun Gill and Nandita Shankardass posed for participants, engaging with the current exhibition Mirror, Mirror by artist Permindar Kaur. The dancers’ expressive movements added a dynamic layer to the artistic experience.
Elsewhere in the gallery, a live Bhangra workshop brought energy and rhythm to the event, featuring dancers Prabhgun and Harleen from Hayes and Mankirat from Southall. The evening’s activities highlighted the borough’s rich cultural diversity and the role of community-led art in celebrating heritage.
The Mirror, Mirror exhibition and Thursday Late events are supported by a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery is at Ealing Green, (W5 5EQ).
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