Biggest gala award night in London

London will host biggest Gala award night (ACTA) Eastern Eye's Arts Culture & Theatre Awards which recognise British Asian talent in a wide range of disciplines, including literature, film, television, theatre, comedy, music, dance, visual arts and contribution to the creative industries in general.

Now in its fourth year, the ACTAs are the leading event recognising the enormous contribution that artists of South Asian heritage have made and continue to make to the Britain's thriving arts scene..

The awards are hosted by Eastern Eye, part of Asian Media Group, Britain's biggest Asian publishing house with a stable of market-leading consumer and business titles serving the Asian community in the UK and USA. With over 51 years' experience in publishing for the Asian community and also host leading events, from black-tie award dinners to seminars, conferences and round table discussions. Eastern Eye launched ACTA in 2016.

There was a time when the first generation of immigrants from India, Pakistan and elsewhere thought the arts were for other people. With successive generations that view has changed although in some quarters people are still intimidated from going into the arts – or even going to see a play or an exhibition. Britain is extraordinarily rich in the creative industries which are worth £92bn a year – and it has to be emphasised that the arts are for everyone. ACTA is a step in trying to achieve that goal. Eastern Eye aims through ACTA to give British Asian artists it full support, say the organisers. Few of this year's winners include George Alagiah, Naughty Boy, Meera Syal, Anita Rani and Anoushka Shankar.