Celebrate KALA’s 30th Annual KALA Event on 17th October: Reserve Tickets

LONDON Sept 1: An unforgettable evening of celebration, artistry and cultural splendour awaits as the Kerala Arts and Literary Association marks its landmark 30th anniversary.

The Kerala Arts and Literary Association (KALA) is set to celebrate a major milestone with its 30th Annual KALA Event, taking place on Saturday, 17th October 2026, at the Centenary Theatre, Berkhamsted School, HP4 3BG.

The landmark anniversary celebration promises to be an unforgettable evening of culture, artistry and entertainment, bringing together members of the community and distinguished guests to celebrate three decades of KALA’s contribution to the promotion of Kerala’s rich arts, literature and cultural heritage in the United Kingdom.

Adding to the excitement of this special occasion, KALA has announced that renowned Indian music director and singer Sharreth will attend as the Chief Guest. During the event, Sharreth will also be presented with the prestigious KALA Puraskaram, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian music and cinema.

Celebrating the Musical Journey of Sharreth

Professionally known as Sharreth, Sujith Vasudevan I is one of Indian cinema’s most respected and celebrated music directors and playback singers. Born on 3 October 1969 in Kollam, Kerala, he has made a significant contribution to Indian film music, composing memorable scores and songs primarily for Malayalam cinema while also working extensively in the Tamil, Telugu and Hindi film industries.

A protégé of Carnatic music virtuoso M. Balamuralikrishna, Sharreth began his journey in the film industry as a playback singer. His first recorded film song was “Dum Dum Dum”, a duet with K. S. Chithra for the 1985 Malayalam film Onningu Vannengil.

He later made his debut as a film composer with the 1990 Malayalam film Kshanakkathu, beginning a distinguished career that has produced numerous acclaimed compositions and established him as one of the leading musical talents in Indian cinema.

Sharreth’s exceptional work has earned him several prestigious honours, including the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 2008. He also received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director in 2011 for his work in Ivan Megharoopan.

In addition, he was the first recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Classical Music Singer, awarded for his rendition of “Bhavayami” in the film Meghatheertham.

Known for his soul-stirring melodies, versatility and charismatic stage presence, Sharreth’s participation is expected to be one of the highlights of KALA’s 30th Anniversary celebration.

Event Details at a Glance

Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026
Venue: Centenary Theatre, Berkhamsted School, HP4 3BG
Arrival: Guests must be seated by 15:45

Registration:
https://kala.org.uk/events/kala-annual-2026/

Travel and Parking Information

Guests travelling by train can use Berkhamsted Railway Station, which is approximately a 10-minute walk from the venue. Direct trains from London Euston take around 30 minutes.

Those travelling by car are advised to allow additional time, as parking at the venue will be extremely limited this year. The car park on Doctor’s Commons Road, which has been available in previous years, will not be available for the 2026 event.

Guests may choose to park on nearby streets where permitted or use public car parks in the town. KALA will also provide a dedicated parking facility at Berkhamsted’s Pre-Prep School, HP4 2SZ, approximately one mile from the venue.

A free shuttle service will operate between the dedicated car park and the venue every 10 to 15 minutes. Drivers are encouraged to drop off family members and friends at the venue before parking at the Pre-Prep School, after which they can return to the venue using the shuttle service.

At the conclusion of the event, shuttle services will also be available to transport drivers back to the car park, operating until 23:00.

Guests are strongly encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient time for parking and shuttle travel to ensure they are comfortably seated by 15:45.

Registration:
https://kala.org.uk/events/kala-annual-2026/
www.kala.org.uk