South Asia season
A region of only 8 countries, perhaps the region of South Asia does not sound as important as it is. However, the region is in fact inevitable, whether we think globally, in relation to Britain or both.
Join us to learn about and engage with the different languages, cultures and histories of the part(s) of South Asia that interest you. We offer both short and long courses, online and face-to-face designed to cater to your interest and expand your horizons.
Check out our blog post on Exploring The Culture & History of South Asia
- Spices, Trade, and Traditions of the Indian Sub-Continent - The Story of Food from Ancient Times to the Colonial Era
Course start date: Sat 16 May 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaJoin us to discover the history of food on the subcontinent, from the ancient period to the colonial era.How did local climates, agricultural practices, and cultural interactions shape regional cuisines?Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - An introduction to Jainism Course start date: Sat 23 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaThis course is an introduction to Jain philosophy, with a particular emphasis on its relevance to environmentalism.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Ways into Islamic art Course start date: Tue 2 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anita ChowdryAn introductory course providing an overview of the development of the visual language of Islamic cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Introduction to Buddhist art Course start date: Thu 4 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Arjmand AzizExplore the early history of Buddhist art in South Asia in this introductory course.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Ancient India: The Harappan Civilisation in the Indus Valley Course start date: Sat 6 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaWant to know more about the ancient Harappan Civilization thriving in the Indus Valley from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE? Join us to learn more!Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Indian head massage: workshop Course start date: Tue 9 Jun 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Janet WhiteheadDiscover the ancient and highly therapeutic practice of Indian head massage. Learn how tension is held in the neck and shoulders and how to alleviate this in family and friends by practising a basic routine.
Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £109.00 - South Asia Post Independence: Rebuilding the RegionCourse start date: Tue 9 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Reshmi BanerjeeThe late 1940s witnessed the birth of several newly independent countries in South Asia against the backdrop of Partition, mass-scale migration and communal violence. The transition from a long-lasting colonial rule to freedom was not an easy one as it was fraught with multiple and complex challenges. History/Past continues to impact the present in this region. The aim is to not only reflect on the critical juncture of independence in South Asian history but also understand the region through the distinctive experiences of the countries concerned in the post-independence period.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Agriculture around the world in the 21st century: achievements, challenges and prospects Course start date: Tue 16 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Reshmi BanerjeeAgriculture continues to be a very important instrument for employment creation, poverty reduction and sustainable development in the 21st century. Asian economic giants like India and China have a significant proportion of their population still dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. This course aims to understand and analyze various aspects of the agricultural sector including changing agrarian policies by examining the rural landscapes of India and China.
Dr Reshmi Banerjee is a political scientist with specialization in food security, agricultural policies and cross-border studies on North East India/Myanmar. She was previously a visiting research fellow in the King’s India Institute (KII), King’s College, London, an academic visitor in the Asian Studies Centre (Programme on Modern Burmese Studies) in St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, a research associate in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, a post-doctoral fellow in the department of international relations, University of Indonesia (UI) and a researcher in the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Jakarta. Reshmi has been a Visiting Professor in Jamia Millia Islamia, a fellow in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (RGICS) and a visiting research fellow in the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi. She has taught in Delhi University and in the University of Indonesia (UI). She has a Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi and a Masters in Museum Cultures from Birkbeck, University of London. She is the author/editor of several books and journal articles. Her research focus areas are: conflict, identity politics and institutional interventions.
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - ITEC Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage Course start date: Sun 21 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Ameena RahmanIndian Head Massage is an ancient tradition that provides many therapeutic benefits. Learn the theory and practice of Indian Head massage at a professional level. City Lit is a leading training provider in London for Massage and Complementary Therapies, providing outstanding achievement at high industry standards. Our courses are taught by experienced and practising industry professionals who have current knowledge of the massage sector.Full fee £469.00 Senior fee £469.00 Concession £469.00 - Indian Head massage: taster workshop Course start date: Mon 22 Jun 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Janet WhiteheadDiscover the ancient practice of Indian Head Massage. You will learn the basics of how to give and receive this highly therapeutic and relaxing form of massage.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Yoga: beginners Course start date: Fri 26 Jun 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Caroline Ings-ChambersFull fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £76.00 - South Asian Heritage Month: South Asia’s Contribution to Mathematics and ScienceCourse start date: Wed 1 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ketan VariaExplore how several key ideas underpinning modern mathematics and science first emerged in South Asia during this one-off lecture. These ideas often developed within philosophical, religious, and practical settings, and were later rediscovered or formalized independently in the West, sometimes centuries afterwards.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Conflicts in South Asia: the histories, memories and legacies of the Bangladeshi war of IndependenceCourse start date: Wed 1 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Reshmi BanerjeeThe Bangladesh War of Independence of 1971 is a defining moment for both Bangladesh and South Asia. The course aims to examine the multiple causes and varied consequences of the liberation war along with its overall lasting impact on the region and its politics.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - The Rise and Fall of the Mughal Empire Course start date: Sat 4 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: T HussainFollow the fortunes of the Mughal Emperors, rulers of Northern India from the 1500s to the 1800s. What were their contributions to the religious, political and cultural life of northern India and how can we explain the decline of their powers in the 1700s and 1800s? Tutor: T Hussain.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Gentle Yoga Course start date: Mon 6 Jul 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Eleanor ShearnRelax, stretch and feel good! This gentle yoga course is suitable for those who wish to improve their sense of wellbeing while also focusing on increasing confidence in postures that help with balance
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00
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