History

Chitrapur Saraswats are in the U.K. since the 1950's

The early settlement of the Saraswats in the UK may be traced back to the Nineteen Fifties when there were only a handful of families. The nineteen-sixties saw the beginning of migration of the Saraswat families on a larger scale.

Until 1970 there was an Association which met the social and cultural needs and interests of 'Amchi' families, most of whom had settled in and around London. It was headed by the late Shri Nilawar Dattmam as the President, supported by other enthusiastic Bhanaps including Chandru Bailoor, Shashi Bailoor, Sudhir Koppikar, Nandan Savoor and Sharad Vaknalli. The Association, which functioned on an informal level, organised regular get-togethers on festive occasions such as Diwali as well as outings to places of interest such as Holland, Isle of Wight etc. As the number of families began to grow and to spread around the country, it became difficult to organise a co-ordinated programme of activity and the Association was wound up in 1970.

After a break of five to six years, the annual get-togethers were revived by the collective enthusiasm of a few Bhanaps, who organised the events on an informal basis with an enthusiastic response from the community. In September 1979, the UK Saraswat community was blessed by the most memorable event, namely, the Visit by His Holiness Shreemat Parijnanashram - III Swamiji.

In 1989, a formal body named the "Saraswat Samaj" was founded, with a Constitution, subscribed membership and a Managing Committee. The Chairperson of the first committee was Smt. Veena Adur. The tenure of the Committee is fixed at two years at the end of which nominations are invited, and new committee members are elected, who then elect the office bearers.