Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan London official awarded doctorate for promoting Indian culture in UK

THE University of London Worldwide has awarded a honorary doctorate to Dr M N Nandakumara, a UK-based Sanskrit scholar and the executive director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan centre in London.

At the university’s graduation ceremony in London on Tuesday (29), Nandakumara received the doctorate from the university vice-chancellor Professor Wendy Thomson for his “outstanding promotion of Indian arts, literature and culture in the United Kingdom”.

In his address, Nandakumara attributed the “incredible honour” to many of his inspiring academic advisers over the years and chairpersons of Bhavan UK.

Hailing from Mattur village in Karnataka's Shivamogga district, he came to the UK more than four decades ago to pursue a PhD at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

“Upon my arrival in November 1977, I longed for my village and India, viewing my time in the UK as temporary — just enough to complete my PhD and return to my intended role as a college lecturer.

"However, circumstances began to unfold that anchored me here for over 45 years longer than I had originally planned,” he said.

“I started teaching and assisting at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which was then a fledgling organization focused on promoting India's classical arts in the UK. By chance, I became involved with an organisation whose mission aligned perfectly with my interests — a love for India's music, dance, drama, and literature. The rest, as they say, is history,” he said.

On completing his PhD, he was drawn to work at the Bhavan in London as its mission resonated with him deeply and has been its executive director since 1995.

“Finding a job that resonates with our passions is an ideal we all strive for, yet it rarely materialises.

"I am deeply grateful that this has been a reality for me since my first day at the Bhavan,” he added.

Nandakumara concluded his address on a Vedic note, translated as “let noble thoughts come to us from every direction; Vasudhaiva kutumbhakam – the world is one family – a phrase that perfectly encapsulates my experience in London”.

In April 2023, he was awarded an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III for services to Indian classical arts in Britain.