“South Asians have been involved in fashion, beauty and food in the UK for centuries,” Jasvir Singh, co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month, tells us as we sit down towards the beginning of South Asian Heritage Month. “Shampooing was introduced to Britain in the 1810s by Dean Mohamed Sake, a South Asian entrepreneur who also opened the first Indian restaurant in Europe during Regency London.” Two centuries on, the South Asian community in Britain has followed in Sake's footsteps, bringing innovations in beauty, fashion and hospitality to the UK.
“[Sake's] legacy can be seen in the work done by modern South Asian entrepreneurs who are carving out their own interpretations of South Asian-ness within their respective fields today,” Singh continues. “More needs to be done to ensure that they are given the profile they deserve. That's where South Asian Heritage Month has an important role to play – in providing that spotlight.
” For the uninitiated, South Asian Heritage Month is a period during July and August each year dedicated to celebrating and recognising the rich cultural heritage, history and contributions of South Asian communities, typically including countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. After all, not only has the South Asian community enriched British culture through cuisine, music, beauty, fashion and festivals, but they have also made a significant impact on British politics and public life. For South Asian Heritage Month.