Teamwork Arts brings a new offering, ‘Voices of Faith’, presented by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Foundation, to the Barbican Centre in London between March 28 and 30.
The pioneering festival will transform the iconic venue into a dynamic, cross-cultural space, celebrating the serenity and intellectual traditions of faith from around the world. It is inspired by the notion that an understanding of the many philosophies that shape spiritual wisdom is vital to navigating our everyday reality and finding a way towards compassion – both for humanity and nature. It is conceptualised by Teamwork Arts, the producer of the iconic annual Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and the also JLF London at the British Library – a multi-faceted literary festival that has featured over 600 sessions in the past decade.
Kamini Banga, Chair of the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, said: “As the world navigates challenging times, faith continues to offer profound insights into our evolving reality — both personal and collective. Through our collaboration with Teamwork Arts on ‘Voices of Faith’, we have explored the rich cultural histories, spiritual traditions, and philosophical depth of faith across religions.
“We are proud to support this festival as it expands these conversations, bringing together distinguished voices to help us understand the enduring wisdom that unites us all.”
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The inaugural edition of ‘Voices of Faith’ will take place within the Barbican Centre’s striking architectural landscape. Its vast scale, multi-level design, elevated walkways, and numerous entrances and exits serve as a fitting metaphor for the diverse and intricate ways in which faith shapes human experience. The festival aims to explore the traditional wisdom and subtleties of faith, highlighting its potential to inspire human values that foster peace in a world fragmented by hierarchies and power structures.
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, reflects: “Voices of Faith seeks to inspire curiosity and reflection on the philosophies of faith, engendering a deeper understanding of an increasingly complex world order shaped by divisions along social, religious and political lines.
“Teamwork Arts, the producer of the annual Jaipur Literature Festival and its many international editions, are delighted to bring together a remarkable lineup of speakers, authors, and musicians who will explore ideas and themes that range ranging from religion to mystic faith, enriching the dialogue and broadening our understanding of faith in all its forms.”
The first edition of Voices of Faith is set to feature a distinguished roster of speakers, including:
● Reza Aslan – Acclaimed religious scholar, writer, and commentator, known for his insightful works on faith and identity.
● Purushottam Agrawal – Renowned scholar and academic of Indian intellectual traditions, with a focus on Kabir.
● Linda Hess – Leading translator and author who is a Senior Lecturer Emerita in Religious Studies at Stanford University. She is widely known for her work on Kabir and his verses.
● Pavan K Varma – Former Diplomat, writer, and public intellectual, exploring Indian culture, history, and spirituality.
● Navtej Sarna – Former diplomat and distinguished author, known for his writings on Sikh heritage and history.
● Andrew Quintman – Scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, focusing on sacred biography and Buddhist literature.
● Jessica Jackley – Entrepreneur and co-founder of Kiva, pioneering innovative approaches to faith and social impact.
● Barnaby Rogerson – Historian and writer specialising in the history of North Africa and the Islamic world.
● Shaunaka Rishi Das – Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, dedicated to promoting academic and interfaith dialogue.
● Anand George – Award-winning chef and culinary innovator, renowned for redefining Indian cuisine in the UK.
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Musicians performing at the festival include:
● Amrit Kaur – Sarangi player and vocalist, blending Punjabi folk and Sikh spiritual music with contemporary influences.
● Dr L Subramanian – Renowned Indian violinist, composer, and conductor known for his mastery of both Carnatic and Western classical music.
● Swaransh Mishra – Hindustani classical vocalist from the Banaras gharana, known for blending tradition with contemporary expressions in music.
● Soumik Datta – Sarod virtuoso, composer, and storyteller, bridging classical Indian music with global contemporary sounds.
*Info: Voice of Faith
