Latest news with #TheBritishMuseum
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Radhika Das Announces 9-City India Tour 'Silence In Sound' For November 2025
Last Updated: Radhika Das announces 9-city India tour 'Silence In Sound' in November 2025. Mantra music, meditation, and soulful storytelling await audiences. UK-based kirtan musician and bhakti yoga teacher Radhika Das is set to bring his soulful mantra meditation to Indian shores with a landmark nine-city tour this November titled Silence In Sound. This immersive spiritual experience, produced by EVA Live in collaboration with Scope Entertainment, promises to take participants on a deeply moving journey of collective meditation, music, and storytelling. Known for his evocative use of Sanskrit mantras and his ability to weave ancient traditions into modern musical expressions, Radhika Das has inspired millions across the globe. With more than 50 million streams and performances at major global venues and festivals including The British Museum, Bhakti Fest, World Yoga Festival, and Union Chapel, his work bridges continents, cultures, and communities. Now, he returns to the land that inspired his spiritual path. 'India holds the original blueprint for what I've been sharing across the world. To finally bring these gatherings to the very soil where these sacred sounds were first uttered thousands of years ago feels like completing a sacred pilgrimage," said Radhika Das. 'My role is to create a space where people can remember what their ancestors never forgot." Silence In Sound will visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Each venue has been selected for its acoustic and atmospheric properties, creating sanctuaries of sound and devotion. The tour aims to transcend cultural and religious divides through the uplifting energy of kirtan—a practice of call-and-response chanting rooted in the Bhakti yoga tradition. Each two-hour event will combine mantra chanting, guided meditation, and heartfelt storytelling. A unique ensemble of traditional and modern instruments, including the harmonium, mridanga, saxophone, and bass guitar, will offer a rich, immersive musical backdrop. Deepak Chaudhary, Founder of EVA Live, described the tour as a vision long in the making: 'India is experiencing a profound spiritual reawakening, and many are seeking new pathways that are both authentic and accessible. Radhika Das offers that rare blend. These events are not just performances—they are spaces for transformation." Ajay Bansal, Founder and CEO of Scope Entertainment, echoed this sentiment: 'For us, this is about more than music. It's about building a spiritual family. Radhika Das's work dissolves barriers and invites audiences into a deep, shared resonance." Tickets for the Silence In Sound tour will be exclusively available on District by Zomato. Tour Dates: Nov 16, 2025 – New Delhi Nov 19, 2025 – Jaipur Nov 21, 2025 – Chandigarh Nov 22, 2025 – Kolkata Nov 23, 2025 – Ahmedabad Nov 25, 2025 – Pune Nov 26, 2025 – Indore Nov 28, 2025 – Bengaluru Nov 29, 2025 – Mumbai First Published: June 07, 2025, 18:59 IST
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Radhika Das announces nine-city India tour
UK-based kirtan artist and bhakti yoga teacher Radhika Das will tour nine Indian cities this November with Silence in Sound , a series of live mantra meditation gatherings. The tour, which spans New Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Bengaluru and Mumbai, will blend traditional devotional singing with storytelling and guided meditation. The events aim to offer accessible spiritual experiences rooted in ancient Vedic practices. Each two-hour session will feature call-and-response mantra chanting, supported by an ensemble mixing classical Indian and contemporary instruments, including harmonium, mridanga, saxophone and bass guitar. Radhika Das has previously performed at international festivals and venues including Bhakti Fest, World Yoga Festival, The British Museum and Union Chapel. With more than 50 million digital streams, his global work has centred on using sound as a medium for connection and reflection. 'This is a homecoming,' said Das ahead of the tour. 'These chants have ancient roots here. My goal is to create a space where people can reconnect with that legacy.' The performances are designed for a wide audience, requiring no prior experience in meditation or chanting. Organisers note that the carefully selected venues are chosen for their acoustic quality and spiritual resonance. The India tour marks a significant expansion of Radhika Das's work in creating immersive spiritual spaces that move beyond traditional frameworks, with a focus on inclusivity, emotional connection and collective introspection. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
The National
10-03-2025
- General
- The National
Holi 2025: When is the Hindu festival of colour and how is it celebrated?
Holi, the Hindu festival of colour, is celebrated around the world, marked by raucous parties where people throw and smear coloured powder on each other. The festival, the celebrations for which begin on March 14 in many parts of India, signifies the arrival of spring and, for many Hindus, the triumph of good over evil. Held in March on the full moon night known as Phalgun Purnima in the Hindu calendar, the date changes slightly every year. While the first night is usually dedicated to more sombre rituals, it's on the second day that the vibrant celebrations begin. Across India and Nepal, for instance, streets will be filled with colours as powdered dyes are thrown by people at each other and coloured water is sprayed for raucous fun. Revellers are often advised to moisturise their hair and skin well, to avoid the dye from staining the skin and clothes worn do not usually survive the day. The celebrations are deeply rooted in tradition and observed now for hundreds of years. There are varying accounts of the festival's origins but it has been celebrated in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, as documented in ancient Indian literature. According to Indian historian Sushma Jansari, a faculty member at The British Museum, there are three main myths associated with Holi. One of the most popular stories concerns the Hindu deity Vishnu and his devotee Prahlada, she writes on the museum's blog. According to one version of this story, Prahlada was the son of an evil king named Hiranyakashipu, who demanded that everyone should worship only him. Prahlada refused to worship his father and instead continued to pray to Vishnu. Holika, Hiranyakashipu's sister, grew angry at Prahlada because of his devotion to Vishnu and decided to kill him. She had been previously blessed by the gods so that she would not be harmed by fire, so she tricked Prahlada into sitting on her lap while she sat in a fire. Prahlada survived this ordeal because he prayed to Vishnu, while Holika perished. Holi, the name of the festival, is thus derived from the name Holika. In different parts of India and Nepal, bonfires are lit on the first night of the festival to signify the demise of evil. Another story is linked to the god Krishna's love for Radha, Jansari writes. Krishna's skin was dark blue because a demoness had tried to poison him when he was a baby, and Krishna was worried that Radha wouldn't like him because of his appearance. His mother, Yashoda, playfully suggested that he smear some brightly coloured powder on Radha's face. After Krishna did this, Radha fell in love with him and they were later married. Some people also believe the Holi colours came from Krishna mischievously throwing coloured water on his subjects, which became part of the celebrations. In different parts of India, where it's a national holiday, Holi is adapted to various cultures. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, for instance, women playfully hurl sticks at men, who use shields to protect themselves. In parts of Punjab, Holi fairs are held and can go on for days, while in the north-eastern state of Manipur, young people perform a group folk dance called thabal chongba on full moon night, and celebrations usually last for six days. The fun and games with colours, however, are followed everywhere. Holi is also a big festival in Nepal, where it is a national holiday. Holi celebrations have gone truly global, thanks to the Indian diaspora. Colour marathons, where participants are doused with coloured powders, have become popular around the world. Some critics, however, say these events destroy the religious significance of the festival. In the UAE, for example, the festival is usually marked by concerts and outdoor parties. This year, however, as Holi falls during Ramadan, many celebrations were held earlier in the month. Restaurants are also cashing in on festivities, launching special Holi menus and deals. Here are some to try. The Indian restaurant at Taj Dubai is serving a curated menu featuring both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. It includes samosa rose dahi bhalla, pani puri and sev papdi chaat as well as an assortment of traditional homemade sweets and festive mocktails. A live sitar player will serenade guests as they tuck in and all guests will walk away with commemorative takeaway gifts. March 14, from 6pm until midnight; Dh249 per person; Taj Dubai, Business Bay; 04 438 3222 Known for its Punjabi food, Dhaba Lane is offer a shot of thandai, a cold drink prepared with exotic nuts and spices, and three gujiyas or sweet pastries, for Dh20. Both commonly associated with Holi, the milk-based thandai is flavoured with rose petals, dry fruits and spices, while gujiyas are shaped like dumplings and made of flour and stuffed with roasted dried fruits, grated coconut and semolina. March 10 to 14, all day; Dhaba Lane branches in Karama, Garhoud, JLT and Al Nahda; 04 358 3554 This homegrown pure vegetarian restaurant known for serving North Indian cuisine is splashing flavour and colour for Holi. All visitors will receive complimentary thandai shots as a welcome drink, with the special menu featuring festive treats and desserts, from jalebi to rabri and gujiyas. Guests who order from the Holi menu will also receive a free kebab platter. March 14, 9am until midnight; Chatori Gali's Dubai branches in Al Barsha, Silicon Oasis and Karama; 054 582 6378 Serving food from across the Indian sub-continent, all visitors to The Permit Room during Holi will receive a free thandai and two gujiyas. All guests will be greeted with splashes of colour, the hallmark of Holi, as they dig into the restaurant's offerings, from burrata chaat to truffle Amritsari kulcha and Mushroom Achaar. March 14 to 16, all day; Majestic City Retreat, Dubai; 054 791 1796 A thali menu awaits diners at this restaurant in Park Hyatt Dubai featuring both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Dishes include Jodhpuri kachori chaat, tandoori prawn, Rajasthani lamb curry and chicken biryani, all served alongside creamy dal makhani, bhurani raita and a selection of Indian breads. March 14 to 16, all day; Dh150 for vegetarian and Dh175 for non-vegetarian thali; Park Hyatt Dubai; 04 602 1814
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Man sets world record for most museums visited in 24 hours
A man has sped his way across London using a kick scooter to achieve a Guinness World Records title for the most museums visited in 24 hours. Ben Melham, 42, whizzed his way around 42 museums including The Barbican Art Gallery, The British Museum, The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum on October 25. Following verification from the world records team, he was recently declared a world record holder, beating the 33-museum feat achieved by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Swaroop Dawrani in Delhi, India. Mr Melham, who is from London and lives in Surrey, said: ' Museums are essential to our understanding of who we are and where we come from. 'Through this record attempt, I hoped to raise awareness and inspire greater engagement with museums and the incredible collections they safeguard.' Mr Melham, who is a leading expert in the operation and sustainability of museums and cultural institutions, shows no signs of slowing down in his pursuit to encourage others to enjoy museums as much as he does. He is at the halfway mark of another world record attempt – the most museums visited in a year. Adam Millward, managing editor of Guinness World Records, said 'Hundreds of thousands of visitors make a beeline to the British capital each year to immerse themselves in history, science, engineering, art and nature – as well as a few more delightfully esoteric collections. 'With his record-setting 24-hour culture dash, Ben has highlighted the rich diversity of London's museum landscape. 'It's a reminder to locals and tourists alike that there's always something new to explore and learn about, albeit ideally at a slightly less frantic pace than this record demanded of Ben.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man sets world record for most museums visited in 24 hours
A man has sped his way across London using a kick scooter to achieve a Guinness World Records title for the most museums visited in 24 hours. Ben Melham, 42, whizzed his way around 42 museums including The Barbican Art Gallery, The British Museum, The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum on October 25. Following verification from the world records team, he was recently declared a world record holder, beating the 33-museum feat achieved by Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Swaroop Dawrani in Delhi, India. Mr Melham, who is from London and lives in Surrey, said: 'Museums are essential to our understanding of who we are and where we come from. 'Through this record attempt, I hoped to raise awareness and inspire greater engagement with museums and the incredible collections they safeguard.' Mr Melham, who is a leading expert in the operation and sustainability of museums and cultural institutions, shows no signs of slowing down in his pursuit to encourage others to enjoy museums as much as he does. He is at the halfway mark of another world record attempt – the most museums visited in a year. Adam Millward, managing editor of Guinness World Records, said 'Hundreds of thousands of visitors make a beeline to the British capital each year to immerse themselves in history, science, engineering, art and nature – as well as a few more delightfully esoteric collections. 'With his record-setting 24-hour culture dash, Ben has highlighted the rich diversity of London's museum landscape. 'It's a reminder to locals and tourists alike that there's always something new to explore and learn about, albeit ideally at a slightly less frantic pace than this record demanded of Ben.'
