ABOUT
Third Culture Collective
Third Culture Collective is a UK-based arts organisation creating ambitious new work at the intersection of South Asian and Western musical traditions
Founded and directed by British Indian composer, conductor and singer Kavi Pau, Third Culture Collective brings together artists, communities and institutions to create ambitious performances, new music, educational programmes and cultural experiences at the intersection of South Asian and Western musical traditions.
At our core is a belief that culture is not fixed. As generations grow up navigating multiple identities, traditions and influences, new artistic languages emerge. Third Culture Collective exists to explore and celebrate the spaces between cultures, fostering meaningful collaboration and creating what we call a “third culture” of artistic expression.
Our work ranges from large-scale orchestral productions with internationally acclaimed South Asian artists, to experimental collaborations with leading cultural institutions, community participation projects and educational initiatives delivered across the UK and India.
Major projects have included sold-out performances with legendary Gujarati folk singer Osman Mir at London's Royal Festival Hall, the launch of the UK's first South Asian majority orchestra and choir, new commissions exploring South Asian history, literature and spirituality, and collaborations with organisations including the Darbar Festival, Tenebrae, Southbank Centre and Victoria and Albert Museum.
Alongside our artistic programme, Third Culture Collective is committed to widening participation in music and cultural education. Through workshops, and public engagement programmes and partnerships with schools and universities, we seek to make South Asian musical traditions more accessible and support the next generation of artists working across cultural boundaries.
Our Story
What we do
Large-scale productions and partnerships
We artistically produce ambitious large-scale performances with leading South Asian and Western artists, from orchestral concerts at the Royal Festival Hall to choral collaborations with world-class ensembles like Tenebrae. We've worked with some of the most celebrated names in Indian and Western classical music.
New music
creation
New music sits at the heart of everything we do. Our founder and director, Kavi Pau, composes original work that brings South Asian and Western traditions into genuine dialogue. Listen to our latest releases on all streaming platforms Check out our latest music releases on all streaming platforms and in our media gallery.
Education and community
We run workshops on South Asian music to inspire the next generation of western classical musicians. Our program of workshops has been well received in schools and universities across the UK and India. We have also released a series of workshop videos, exploring how musicians of all abilities and backgrounds might be inspired by South Asian sounds!
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Kavi Pau
Kavi Pau (b.1996) is a British Indian composer, conductor, singer and cultural entrepreneur whose work brings together South Asian and Western musical traditions in bold and imaginative ways.
After learning bhajans and harmonium from a young age, Kavi went on to study composition at the Purcell School before winning a scholarship to the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a prize-winning Double First-Class degree in Music.
As the founder and Artistic Director of Third Culture Collective, Kavi leads one of the UK's most distinctive platforms for collaboration between South Asian and Western musicians. Through original compositions, large-scale performances and creative partnerships, his work explores how music can reflect the rich cultural identities of contemporary Britain.
Kavi has collaborated with organisations including the BBC Proms, the London Symphony Orchestra and Opera North, and has worked alongside internationally renowned artists including A.R. Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja. His projects span concert halls, festivals, museums and community settings, bringing together artists from different traditions to create new musical experiences.
Alongside his creative work, Kavi is a committed educator, regularly delivering workshops, residencies and lectures across the UK and India. He has worked with institutions including KM Music Conservatory, Christ University and the University of Cambridge.
Collaborators and Influences
Regular Collaborators
Kuljit Bhamra Percussion
Teymour Housego
Bansuri
Misha Mullov-Abbado
Double Bass
John Holland-Avery Singer
Shahid Abbas Khan Singer
Rekha Sawhney Singer
Poppy Walshaw Baroque cello
Simon Purdy
Violin
Wallis Power
Cello
Anna Semple
Viola
Jordan Black
Clarinet
Influences
The Chineke! Foundation
The Chineke! Foundation provides outstanding career opportunities to established and up-and-coming Black, Asian and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe.
chineke.org
Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney is firmly established as a world-class producer, songwriter, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, orchestral composer and cultural pioneer.
nitinsawhney.com
A.R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman is one of the world’s most prominent and prolific film composers. His works are notable for integrating Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and traditional orchestral arrangements.
arrahman.com
Kuljit Bhamra
Kuljit Bhamra is a prolific composer, musician, record producer and percussionist. He is best known as one of the record producers who pioneered the British Bhangra sound and for collaborations with musicians of many different genres.
kedarecords.com/artist/kuljit-bhamra
Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar is a sitarist, composer, producer and a genre-defying figure within the classical and contemporary, acoustic and electronic world music scenes.
anoushkashankar.com