Friday 14 March 2025
On Friday 14 March, esteemed film, theatre producer and ‘local lad’ Anwar Akhtar, Director of Samosa Media, visited WHGS to deliver an educational talk to a selection of Year 10 and Year 12 students about the importance of people with Asian heritage getting involved in the Arts and Cultural sectors and the importance of studying history.
Akhtar’s work as the producer of the National Theatre Moghul History play ‘Dara’ and the film, Pakistan's Best Kept Secret, Lahore Museum, has been widely critically acclaimed for its contemporary consideration of ancient Muslim, Hindu and Sikh cultures (something which is often not discussed in British schools) and its ability to draw parallels with our own turbulent Tudor dynasty. Students were educated on the close links between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh cultures in the UK and the vast contributions of the UK's BAME communities to building modern Britain, something which Akhtar’s own company, Samosa Media, looks to represent and spread awareness about.
As well as giving both staff and students the opportunity to ask questions about his work, Akhtar cleverly, humorously and considerately spoke about his own struggles and life, leading cultural organisations and his work as a film and theatre producer, to deliver some strong life-lessons and home-truths to our students. Afterwards, everyone came away feeling motivated to challenge the status-quo and question more carefully the ideas we have about privilege and who should be entitled to positions in the Arts sector -particularly as there is so much hidden talent within our communities!
We are going to screen the National Theatre's Moghul History play ‘Dara’ soon for those who attended Akhtar’s talk.
You can find out more about the work of Samosa Media and access lots of diverse curriculum materials at Samosa Media.