Ajay Chhabra, who is London born of Indo-Fijian heritage, is co-founder of award-winning arts company Nutkhut, connecting the big issues of our time with local communities. Through his work with the Mayor of London's Cultural Leadership Board and across all 56 member states of the Commonwealth Foundation, he encourages entrepreneurialism, innovation, and talent across sectors. A multidisciplinary outdoor arts specialist, Ajay creates festivals, digital artworks and theatrical moments which bring people together, under single, universal experiences.
Ajay’s award-winning body of work includes Dr Blighty, Never Set Eyes and Girmit, a Trilogy of Defining Moments, has impacted and influenced diaspora communities through the lens of art, heritage and technology.
As an actor, he portrays characters across theatre, television and film that are often overlooked and under-represented.
Prior to working in the arts sector, he worked in senior management positions in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector.
He is Chair of the Mela Partnership, a trustee of Creative Kernow and Tara Theatre, the first Asian, Black and ethnically diverse theatre company in the UK.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I have always lived close to the River Thames. From the fast-flowing industrial Thames Estuary to the gentle flow of the city's Westerly boroughs. The ability to understand a city's history and future through its public parks and rivers, the ebb and flow of the Thames is a must.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
A strange one - to have failed all my GCSEs (I was the last cohort to do O levels) and then to use this as a steep learning curve. I had nobody showing me the way. Attainment can often appear through the flames of failure.
3) What inspires you?
Kindness. From the personal to the professional - acts of kindness come in different shapes and sizes and touch the most important aspects of humanity. During the Covid period those genuine moments appeared quietly and silently and continue to remain with us. I cry easily!
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
“Still coming across class as an obstacle in the arts sector. When you scratch beneath the surface amongst the South Asian arts sector, you find privilege still exists, nowadays directors, writers and actors are more careful how they describe themselves or their journey."
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
"David Glass - Theatre Director. As my 30s fast approached I became apathetic with Theatre and the Arts in the UK - it felt and still feels those that make the decisions are both privileged and entitled. David changed everything for me. Humour, dark humour, physicality, movement, text, there are so many ways. "
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Watching young people discover their potential. I'm interested in those that are at the bottom rung of the ladder or those who don't even know the ladder exists. That's the greatest gain.
7) And the worst?
Watching those already on the ladder who are not willing to move or budge. The gatekeepers, those that quietly profit from working on endless schemes and projects that are clearly not fit for purpose.
8) What are your long-term goals?
To mentor and coach individuals who are interested in soft power and cultural diplomacy as a mechanism to bring and keep communities and societies together.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would abolish the charity status of independent schools and divert resources into a review of section 78 of the Education Act to ensure Debating becomes part of the curriculum from primary education through to secondary. Building confidence in our young people through public speaking on topics of our time is essential. It develops and builds confidence and self-worth.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
"Totaram Sandya - Deceitfully recruited by the British in the late 19th century and sent to Fiji as a bonded labourer as part of the indentured system. He became a Hindu priest and farmer and encouraged a generation of Indian freedom fighters to improve the plight of Indians in Fiji and subsequently the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean.
His book ""21 Years in Fiji"" was used to abolish the indenture labour system."
