The Lives of Freda Bedi

Andrew Whitehead joins the Bookclub to talk about the little-known story of Freda Bedi.

Andrew Whitehead

Andrew is a historian, lecturer and freelance journalist with 35 years with the BBC as a correspondent, presenter and editor of BBC World Service News. He is honorary professor at the University of Nottingham & also a visiting professor at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, South India. Andrew's first book 'The Lives of Freda Bedi’ includes new material based on extensive access to the Bedi family archives. He is currently working on his second book 'Curious London' which will be published later this year.
Andrew Whitehead joins the Bookclub to talk about the little-known story of Freda Bedi. Bedi was an English woman who made her life in India after marrying a Punjabi-Sikh student in Oxford in 1993. After marriage, Bedi regarded herself as Indian and lived in Lahore where she championed India’s national cause during the Second World War. She later became an active Kashmiri nationalist, a Tibetan Buddhist and towards the end of her life a Buddhist nun, but India would remain her home to the end.
Buy ‘The Lives of Freda: The Political, Spiritual and Personal Journeys of Freda Bedi’ here >>
You May also be interested in:

Dr Radha Kapuria

How both music and dance played a vital role in state craft and deeply influenced the Indo-European diplomatic relationship even though it is often overlooked by historians. From performances of the legendary corps of ‘Amazons’  acting as “gifts” to European visitors, to striking a coin in Moran’s name, music and dance played an intrinsic role in the Court.

Virinder Kalra

Virinder Kalra joins the Bookclub in conversation with Pritpal Singh to explore the ways in which Nusrat’s Qawaali engaged with other spiritual music texts.

Gibb Schreffler

Gibb Schreffler focuses on the dhol and its significance in Punjabi culture and questions whether the dholi community and its identity will survive?

Prof Parminder Bhachu

Prof Parminder Bhachu in conversation with Dr Jagbir Jutti-Johal to talk about her innovative new book ‘Movers and Makers.’

See All Events