Avid Learning, the cultural and educational philanthropy arm of the Essar Group, was established in 2009 under the esteemed leadership of Mrs. Madhu Ruia, Founder & Chairperson. Today, Avid Learning has grown into one of Mumbai’s leading public programming platforms. With over 1,700 programs and more than 200,000 participants across India and internationally.
On the occasion of our 15th anniversary, we extend our deepest thanks to our stakeholders, collaborators, and participants, whose ongoing support and engagement have allowed us to build a thriving community of lifelong learners. We have consistently aimed to innovate and embrace new formats, platforms, and partnerships, providing enriching, multifaceted experiences.
We take great pride in collaborating with some of the most prestigious institutions in India and internationally. Since its reopening on October 21, 2016, the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, has become a vital part of our programming strategy. Avid Learning has developed a robust curatorial philosophy that positions the Royal Opera House not just as a venue but as a platform for the revival of arts and culture in the city, particularly for its youth. This partnership has enabled us to engage deeply with the creative community, business sectors, and the diplomatic sphere in Mumbai.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are more committed than ever to expanding our horizons and ensuring that the creative spirit remains boundless. Avid Learning’s evolution reflects the transformative power of the arts. We will continue to democratize access to culture, deepen community engagement, and create opportunities for learning and collaboration.
Founder's Message
Celebrating the Crystal Anniversary of Avid Learning
Fifteen years ago, I embarked on a journey fuelled by an unquenchable passion for the arts and a deep belief in the power of continuous learning. Today, that passion inspires me even more, shaping every aspect of my thought.
The year 2009 holds a special place in my heart. It was the year that marked the birth of Avid Learning. What started as a restless dream quickly started becoming a reality. With my background in various forms of art, including sitar, Sanskrit, sculpture, dance, and above all, a strong desire for continuous learning, I wanted to create a platform where eager learners could find experts who could share their profound expertise. Avid's role was to facilitate that platform. With this vision in mind, the search began for the perfect name that embodied passion and education. I was really excited when I hit upon the name Avid Learning.
Avid’s Early Years: As a Facilitator, Mentor, Enabler
In its early days, Avid Learning was like a budding plant, full of potential and ready to grow. On 27th October 2009, we held our first-ever course — Understanding Western Classical Music with Zane Dalal, a musicologist, at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, India. The excitement was palpable as 108 enthusiastic learners came together for five evenings. This gathering further strengthened my belief in the path Avid had chosen. A week later, on 9th November, we held a course on Understanding the Vedas with scholars from Mumbai University. It felt like Avid had found its voice, exploring Western culture and ancient Indian wisdom. Slowly, people were understanding the depth that Avid was bringing to them.
Avid had begun to expand its reach, embracing the vast world of global arts and culture with open arms and a desire to share with all.
Avid’s Evolution: As Change-maker, Connector, and Unifier
As time marched on, Avid not only grew in size but also evolved in spirit and purpose. Each step forward filled me with pride, as Avid fearlessly ventured into new territories. Asad Lalljee, our CEO, and the Avid team brought in new ideas and expanded its reach, delving into various realms of arts and culture — visual and performing arts, literature, architecture, films, photography, technology, innovation — all becoming integral parts of its identity. We were now doing a mix of short and long sessions. A photography course and with it an exhibition of photos taken. Learning at Avid was very experiential.
As a Harmoniser, Thought Leader, and Moderator
From holding courses on individual subjects to expanding into several verticals, Avid started series like Multipolis Mumbai, Cultural Capitals, Uncovering Urban Legacies, and Blurring Boundaries, which were immersive experiences that brought people together, bridging gaps and weaving diverse threads of society into a vibrant and homogeneous tapestry. These series fostered discussions that broke barriers, encouraged creativity, and inspired change. The audience viewed the metropolis of Mumbai through a variety of lenses: film, food, fashion, and others. Discussions through Cultural Capitals, about the talent in second-tier Indian cities like Srinagar or Indore were extremely involving and unifying. Uncovering Urban Legacies made presentations on the amazing contributions of various groups of people — the Parsis, the Sindhis, the Jews, the Iranians, and the like — which were gratifying and eye-opening. It wasn't simply about offering courses — it was about sparking passions, nurturing creativity, and watching Avid bloom in ways we could not imagine.
Our aim was clear: to make arts and culture accessible to all, providing a stage where creativity could thrive, regardless of background or medium.
A Multidimensional Cultural Investor
Avid's presence at large city festivals like Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and St+art Mumbai was more than participation; it was diving deep into the heart of our city. We weren't spectators; we were active community members, investing and opening conversations about its rich cultural heritage. Each venue — Essar House, museums, repurposed architectural spaces like IFBE, and Sassoon Docks — became a platform where art and ideas collaborated, buzzing with energy. Not only at city festivals and city venues; with unstoppable ambition, we spread our wings to cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Dubai, and New York.
Curating performances at the iconic Royal Opera House in Mumbai was breathing new life into a glorious legacy. From comedies and Marathi plays to expressive dance forms, soul-stirring Sufi Qawwalis, and thought-provoking book launches, we've witnessed India's last opera house come alive with renewed purpose. Avid has presented multiple events there, showcasing a beautiful blend of talent. But more than performances, these are dialogues — conversations between cultures, traditions, and perspectives, bringing 500 cultural enthusiasts together on several occasions.
Today, we are proud to have over 1.8 million students worldwide, having presented over 1,650 programs showcasing a blend of Indian and international artists and over 300 collaborations.
Avid’s Omnipresence during Challenging Times
During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Avid Learning transformed once again. Refusing to stand still, Avid reinvented itself with an online presence, reaching wider audiences without losing its passionate energy. Screens became portals and virtual platforms connecting students and teachers from all corners of the globe, developing into an Avid global family bonded by a shared love for the arts and a thirst for knowledge, exploring horizons that were previously unimaginable.
A Platform for Cross-Cultural Dialogue
Avid Learning bridges hearts, minds, and cultures with shared goals of a responsible and sustainable future. Our mission goes beyond promoting art and heritage; it's about fostering dialogue between people of different backgrounds. Using the power of creativity to transcend borders, COP28 in the UAE witnessed a unique performance of 18 Koli fishermen reverberating with the strains of Mi Hai Koli. Our involvement in international events like Art Dubai and Sikka Art Fair strengthened these connections and sparked important conversations for India's creative industries.
Events at Essar House with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Ministry of Culture united government officials, scholars, and industry leaders to discuss India's cultural future. These gatherings generated ideas and sparked conversations that went on to shape public policy and provide actionable insights for India's creative industries.
Avid’s Role as a Guardian of Our Cultural Heritage
So why should we invest in arts and culture?
Because the arts have the power to address uncomfortable questions, to unite, inspire, and educate people, making them powerful catalysts for change. In today's rapidly changing world, appreciating diverse art forms and customs brings us closer together, fostering understanding and empathy. This is even more required now as the world is facing the destruction of war in so many quarters. As India embraces its rich diversity through initiatives like cultural mapping and creative tourism, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is up to all of us — corporates, communities, and individuals — to join hands in whichever way we can, in preserving and promoting our heritage for future generations.
Our journey at Avid Learning has been a testament to the transformative impact of investing in culture. We are truly honoured to have created a platform for the passionate, by the passionate. A platform where creativity and culture thrive, and as we continue to grow, we hold onto one core belief: #LearningNeverStops.
By investing in culture, we are not only preserving our past, but building a future that is inclusive, innovative, and sustainable — a future where imagination and knowledge lead the way. Truly, Avid Learning is a torchbearer and a platform which will keep the dual lamps of passion and learning always burning.
(Madhu Ruia is
the Founder and Chairperson of Avid Learning. She serves on the board of the
Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, where she furthers her passion for continuous
learning about Hindu culture. Additionally, she has co-founded the Sahachari
Foundation, which supports NGOs, and Sahachari Foundation Events, which
promotes new talent through the Design One exhibitions.)
