The stage is set and excitement is building as the shortlist for potential winners of the 21st Asian Achievers Awards is revealed, and Harrow’s very own Archana Kumar finds her name on the prestigious list.
Recognised as the UK’s most prominent and longstanding celebration of British Asian accomplishments across various fields, the Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 15th September, at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane. With nearly 700 attendees expected, including celebrities, senior ministers, global stars, and influencers, the event promises to be a night to remember.
This year’s awards received an overwhelming response with over 500 nominations across multiple categories. The nominations cover a diverse range, including Arts and Culture, Business Person of the Year, Community Service, Entrepreneur of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Media, Professional of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year, Uniformed and Civil Service, and Woman of the Year.
A distinguished panel of judges, representing a wide cross-section of society from charity, public services, business, entrepreneurship, and politics, had the challenging task of selecting the shortlist. Among the esteemed judges are Farzana Baduel, CEO, and Co-Founder of Curzon PR, and Shamil Thakrar, Co-Founder of Dishoom.
The evening’s Host will be none other than Eastenders actor Nitin Ganatra, and joining him as Co-Host will be Pakistani actress and model Ainy Jafri Rahman.
Among the accomplished figures in the shortlist, stand some major trailblazers in the arts and culture fraternity. One such notable name is Harrow-based Archana Kumar, who has carved a successful path in the world of dance. Starting her journey at a young age, she transformed her passion for dance into a thriving business.
Kumar’s exceptional choreography and teaching skills have won her numerous high-profile competitions, leading her to establish her own dance school. Through her school, she has shared the art of dance and music with over 1,000 students, offering a diverse range of classes across London for various cultural performances and events.
Kumar’s creativity and talent have also extended to the theatre, where she produced and directed the UK smash hit Theatre Production, “Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding.” This enthralling show features Bollywood dancing, live singing, and side-splitting comedy, portraying the traditions and family values of a typical British Asian household.
The production has enjoyed resounding success, with an astounding 83 sell-out shows around the UK, captivating an audience of 86,000 members who have showered it with roaring reviews and standing ovations, making it a must-attend stage spectacle.
Throughout her career, Archana Kumar has been driven by the desire to open more doors for UK-based South Asians in the performing arts, and her remarkable achievements are a testament to her dedication and passion.
Archana says: “I am feeling so grateful to be shortlisted for Art and Culture. It’s an area that I’ve been working on for a long time and feel super passionate about. Through dance and theatre, I want to encourage and create more opportunities for South Asian artists to step into the world of Theatre. And for more South Asian families to attend theatre shows. This is a brilliant platform, and I’m so excited, I hope it will open doors for more South Asians in Harrow as we have so much culture in our area.”
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Awards ceremony, all eyes are on the incredible talents and achievements of the shortlisted individuals who are shaping the landscape of British Asian excellence across various domains.
With the red carpet rolled out and an impressive guest list that includes celebrities, influencers, and dignitaries, the 21st Asian Achievers Awards promises to be a night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition.
For more information, and to book tickets for the event, see asianachieversawards.com
