About Us
GaMaBhaNa is a UK-based social initiative founded in March 2017 by Santosh Deshpande and Supriya Deshpande, supported by a passionate community across the UK, Europe, India, and the USA.
Our mission is to preserve culture, promote learning, and inspire positive change. We offer free Marathi language classes, organize creative workshops for children, run a free Marathi library for adults, and lead projects that raise awareness about climate change and sustainability.
At Gamabhana, we curate and deliver exceptional musical experiences across the UK, featuring renowned artists from India and talented local professionals. Our primary focus is on presenting Hindustani Classical and Semi-Classical music concerts.
For more details, please visit the Music section.
What We Do
FREE MARATHI CLASSES
We provide free Marathi language education for children and young adults aged 3 to 23.
Our classes cover speaking, reading, and writing in Marathi—all completely free of charge. Initially, lessons were held in person across the UK, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, we transitioned to online sessions via Zoom. Today, more than 250 students from across the UK and Europe learn Marathi in a fun, interactive, and informal environment.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
We organize a variety of fun and educational workshops to help children learn while enjoying themselves.
Our activities include an annual Ganesh Murti-making workshop, music sessions, and exciting outdoor experiences such as strawberry picking, farm visits, nature trails, and festive celebrations like Christmas events. Each workshop is designed to spark creativity, build cultural awareness, and create lasting memories.
CLIMATE CHANGE
We believe the next generation must understand the urgent challenges our planet faces—challenges created by our own actions.
To raise awareness, we undertake various projects. One such initiative is the Marathi translation of Professor Hugh Montgomery’s book Genie in the Bottle, which explores critical environmental issues. This translation is available completely free of charge.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, please contact us.
FREE MARATHI LIBRARY
We run a dedicated Marathi library for adults, featuring a collection of over 500 books.
Our service is completely free—we deliver books anywhere in the UK right to your doorstep and collect them at no cost. Each book is sent with a pre-paid return envelope, making it easy for you to post it back once you’ve finished reading.
Charities We Support
We proudly support a range of charities in the UK and India, including Balkalyan Sankul (an orphanage in Kolhapur), Snehvan, and Mind UK.
For our professional events, we charge only to cover essential costs, and any surplus funds are donated to these charitable causes.
Your support, participation, and—most importantly—your time can make a real difference. Join us in creating positive change.
Why Do We Do It?
Our Passion
We view this initiative as a social investment, where the true currency is positive change in society. Our mission is to create a stronger, more connected community and give our children a proud identity as British and European Indians.
Through this program, children gain a deeper understanding of their cultural roots while developing into well-rounded, responsible citizens. They learn to communicate with family in India, experience the benefits of mastering a new language, and unlock access to the rich heritage of Marathi literature, music, and knowledge.
This is more than language learning—it’s about building bridges across generations, fostering pride, and shaping a brighter future.
