Bhavan’s Cultural Centre – Andheri, since last 8 years, has entertained, informed and enthralled its elite members by offering quality programs of music, dance, drama and other allied arts and cultural events. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the parent body, established by Kuilpati Dr. K.. M. Munshi seven decades ago has been a highly respected international centre of education, literature and culture. Promotion of fine arts – classical music, dance, drama and theatre, as also spiritual and environmental awareness – has been an important item on Bhavan’s agenda. It was Kulpati Dr. K. M. Munshi’s belief that- “A man does not live with culture but he lives for culture.”
With this perspective in view, it was in October 2003 that Dr. M.L.Shrikant, Chairman, Bhavan’s Andheri Campus, visualized a dream of multi-lingual and multi-dimensional cultural centre within the campus. Bhavan’s Cultural Centre – Andheri took on the mantle to provide an environment for growth of Arts & Culture in the suburbs at cost.
Since its inception, with mission to provide a modern bridge to span the present and future, built on the strong foundation of the fundamental values of life, Bhavan’s Cultural Centre has been organizing nearly 180 programs every year where elements of art & culture transcend all barriers and knit people of different faith together for harmonious existence.
BCCA has developed a distinguished programming profile since 2003. It has since played a catalytic role in churning and aggregating a variety of cultural activities ranging from — Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi theatre; weekend programming of music shows, dance performances, dramas and film screenings; reminiscences of past musical wizards and maestros in Listeners’ Club; Seminars on Yoga, nature & adventure, ecology and environment in Coffee House Talk Shows; assorted programs on book-releases, Kavi Sammelans, folk-art etc.
Our participating celebrities have been inspiring, instructing, nurturing and stimulating the sensibilities of art and culture lovers. The community participation has whole heartedly supported our multitudinous activities and helped us to create a broad cultural base in the western suburbs of the metropolis.
Bhavan’s Andheri Campus, with its sprawling area of 1, 82, 800 sq.m has proved an ideal place for development of an integrated cultural centre with five venues ranging in capacity of 300 to 700 spectators. From 2003 to 2006 Bhavan’s Cultural Centre – Andheri organized more than 100 shows per annum and from then on it organized more than 180 shows per annum. In all humility it may be said that there no other single institution in India that has achieved such a mile stone and that too free of cost.
The guiding light in BCCA’s progress has been Dr. M.L. Shrikant, a visionary with unique and dynamic approach to life. It is his belief that Indian Culture must be viewed not as material equipment but as an evolutionary movement, flowing through time, absorbing alien influences, inspiring individuals to express themselves under the changed conditions of their time.
Art and culture is an education of self-sculpture.
