Indika is one of Europe’s largest festivals of Indian classical arts, taking place biennially in Liverpool for an entire week during November. The festival offers something for everyone with an incredible mix of music and dance performance, talks, workshops and films, all of which feature both internationally renowned and British talent. 


INDIKA 2023: The highlights!

Milap’s INDIKA Festival returned to Liverpool in 2023 for 12 days celebrating Indian music, dance and culture. For the first time in its history, the festival took place across multiple venues in the city, giving a larger and more diverse audience the opportunity to enjoy the very best of Indian arts.

Reflections on Indika 2023

As I write this, it is exactly 4 weeks since the end of Indika 2023, a festival that has created some of our happiest memories. We’re grateful for the chance to share our passion for Indian arts and culture with people around the world, in live events and online productions, but this year, the new Indika was born in our Liverpool home, taking place over 12 days, 22 events in 9 different venues, and Milap produced new performances, introduced you to new artists, took Indian arts to places and people it had never reached before. Now, in our annual Christmas series, 12 days of Milap, we recount 1-12 November at the Indika Festival.

We loved meeting our new and returning audiences in brilliant spaces for Indian arts, ranging from Music Room, and The Unity, two venues we have visited since the 1990s, to new and unusual performance venues, like Bundobust, 92 degrees and The Reader at Calderstones Park, all perfect places to enjoy Indian arts and culture. The festival gave space to some incredible artists sharing their ideas, and we could also bring you two new Milap productions: Sita’s Magical Forest by Apsaras Arts (Singapore) and the new Indika Collective. This was a festival to uplift you, inspire you with ideas, and help transport you to different parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Indika is made distinctive and memorable by the city where it belongs, and the positive energy and vibes brought by the unique ingredients of its audiences, artists and supporters. Though Milap works across England and around the world, we know there’s nowhere else we could produce a festival quite like this.

Thank you!

Alok Nayak, Artistic Director & CEO

INDIKA 2023 Diary


Day One
Wednesday, 1st November

Looking back at a beautiful sold out show with Shakir Khan and Shahbaz Hussain – Tabla at Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room… the perfect evening to launch Indika Festival 2023!

“Thank you for having us, it was a wonderful audience, and we love you Milap!”

Shakir Khan

“We had a fantastic concert tonight in Liverpool for Milap and The Indika Festival. Fantastic festival, fantastic audience, and we really really enjoyed it.”

Shahbaz Hussain

Shahbaz Hussain and Shakir Khan


Day Two
Thursday, 2nd November

Day 2 of the Indika festival marked the busiest day yet, buzzing with excitement as we hosted four captivating events across two venues.

Looking back at two magical performances of Sita’s Magical Forest at The Unity Theatre, with Apsaras Arts Dance Company…

“The standard of every Milap event I have ever attendeded has always been unfailingly world class. I have been performing in and around Liverpool all my life and this organisation is the jewel in the City’s cultural crown beyond any doubt.”

Audience Member

Sita’s Magical Forest

Sita’s Magical Forest

The day kicked off with the production of “Sita’s Magical Forest,” an enchanting dance theatre collaboration with our esteemed partners, Apsaras Arts from Singapore. Featuring talented dancers from across the UK, the production took audiences on a breathtaking journey alongside Sita as she encountered wondrous creatures on her quest to find Lord Rama. It was a rare delight to witness an Indian dance production tailored for children and families, and the joy in the room was palpable as children clapped and danced in their seats while parents and grandparents reveled in the unique experience.

The Sarod Sisters & Kousic Sen

At the Music Room of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the stage was graced by the Sarod Sisters from Kolkata, accompanied by Milap’s Artist in Residence and Tabla Maestro Kousic Sen. Their performance featured a sublime selection of Indian classical repertoire, showcasing exquisite evening ragas that provided a blissful conclusion to the day’s events.

“It was a momentous occasion as the Sarod Sisters made their debut performance in the UK, and we were honored to have them as part of the Indika festival. Furthermore, supporting emerging talents like them remains a core tenet of our mission, ensuring that the legacy of Indian arts continues to flourish and inspire generations to come.”

Alok Nayak

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The Sarod Sisters & Kousic Sen

“…a splendid 12-day extravaganza celebrating the diverse facets of Indian music, dance, arts, and culture”

World Music Central

Parama Padam By Mohanapriyan Thavarajah

Mohanapriyan Thavarajah presented an evening of solo dance, he narrated the origins of “Snakes and Ladders” through the intricate movements of Bharatanatyam. Transporting audiences back thousands of years to ancient India, Mohanapriyan’s storytelling was amplified by captivating lighting design, leaving the audience spellbound.

“I feel absolutely delightful. Everywhere in the world where we take this production – it is very well received. Presented to an urban audience in a modern world, the themes are very relevant – and it transcends age barriers and other differences that we have. It has been a delightful journey bringing Parama Padam to the UK.”

Mohanapriyan Thavarajah


Day Three
Friday, 3rd November

Varadarājam Upāsmahē by Harinie Jeevitha

Looking back on a mesmerising performance and spiritual experience, bringing many to tears. A beautiful moment with Harinie Jeevitha at The Unity Theatre

”We were blessed to watch her performance. An amazing artist, a mesmerising performance. Thanks Milap for this wonderful opportunity.”

Audience Member

Bombay Mix x Indika

Harinie Jeevitha

“On Day 3 of the Indika festival, the spotlight shone brightly on Bharatanatyam virtuoso Harinie Jeevitha as she graced the stage at the Unity Theatre. Anticipation was high as the show had sold out well in advance, but what unfolded surpassed all expectations. Despite the challenging weather conditions, dance enthusiasts from across the country braved the rain to witness Harinie’s exclusive performance in the UK.

From the moment she stepped onto the stage, Harinie transported the audience to the sacred city of Kanchipuram in India, a place revered by Hindus for its profound spiritual significance. As Harinie delved into her performance, it became apparent that this was more than just a dance recital—it was a deeply immersive journey into the heart of tradition and devotion.

Harinie’s precise depiction of the rituals and festivals that grace the ancient temple city left the audience spellbound. Enhanced by immersive audio-visuals captured in Kanchipuram, the experience was nothing short of magical. Many in the audience were moved to tears, feeling as though they were transported to the temple itself, surrounded by fellow devotees.

For those fortunate enough to be in attendance, Harinie’s performance was not just a spectacle—it was a spiritual awakening. Through her artistry and dedication, she created an atmosphere that transcended the confines of the theatre, leaving an indelible impression on all who were privileged to witness it.”


Day Four
Saturday, 4th November

Looking back at DJ’s Sway of the Verses and Richie Vegas.

Bundobust, Liverpool

Bombay Mix X INDIKA

We savoured the extraordinary flavours of Indian cuisine at Bundobust alongside uptempo, contemporary Indian grooves with a fusion that set the tone for a Saturday night done right at Bundobust.


Day Five
Sunday, 5th November

Looking back on the moments captured at Talvin Singh’s headline performances at The Tung Auditorium and the Unity Theatre.

“This is apparently only the second time they’ve played pieces from Talvin Singh’s new album, due out in 2024, though you’d never know it. Their musical prowess and ability to pick up on and run with each other’s cues makes for an evening’s entertainment that is as unrepeatably individual as it is deeply moving.”

Ed Barrett / Broken Spine Arts Review

Talvin Singh

Talvin Singh

Day Six
Monday, 6th November

“Our partnership with 92 Degrees was one of the most exciting new partnerships we embraced during Indika Festival! The opportunity to work together to showcase the amazing work of Indian and UK based artists, Innee Singh and Pritpal Ajimal, during the festival, broadened the festival offering, making Indian arts free and accessible to all. We really look forward to working with 92 Degrees in the years to come and thank Gerard and all his team for their support during the exhibitions and DJ sessions.”

Pravinder Singh, Head of Programmes & Planning

Inni Singh and Sway of the Verses at 92 Degrees

SwayOfTheVerses

Looking back on a magical morning bringing families together…

Ran by the wonderful Story Hunters at The Storybarn at The Reader, children got to meet and interact with others, take part in Diwali inspired storytelling and create their own tales and craft.

Diwali at The Storybarn

Diwali at The Storybarn

Looking back at the brilliant events with The Reader in Calderstones Park.

The Reader

“On Day 6 of the Indika festival, we were thrilled to collaborate with the Reader Org in Calderstones Park for two Shared Reading events, shining a spotlight on Indian literature.

Amidst the tranquil beauty of Calderstones Park, literature enthusiasts and festival attendees gathered to explore the rich tapestry of Indian storytelling. Guided by passionate facilitators from the Reader Org, participants delved into the pages of captivating Indian texts, immersing themselves in the diverse narratives and cultural insights they offered.”


Day Seven
Tuesday 7th November

Looking back at the Moore, Modarelli and Rayatt trio at Indika Festival…

“Hello, I am Gurdain Rayatt, and I’ve just been here performing with my colleagues and musician friends, Giuliano Modarelli on guitar and Olivia Moore on violin. We presented a lovely trio-performance, combining guitar, violin and tabla. We had done a number of trios during the lockdown period, so we’ve been able to present this live for Milap – at this beautiful auditorium, The Tung Auditorium. It’s great to be back here in #Liverpool, and we had a lovely time. The audience was very responsive – it’s great to be here, and to be a part of Indika Festival!”

Gurdain Rayatt, Tabla Player

Olivia Moore, Hurdaın Rayatt and Giuliano Modarelli

Day Eight
Wednesday, 8th November

Looking back on a wonderful evening of Bollywood classics, indian ragas, ghazals & contemporary music with Swati Natekar and The Moore, Modarelli & Rayatt Trio at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room…

“It was a great experience to perform for Milap at Indika Festival in Liverpool. Everything from the organisation, up to the audience, everything was just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed coming here and performing, along with my fabulous team for this audience, and for Milap. I wish them all the best and would love to work more with them in the future! I have done many concerts before with Milap – and all these years we’ve had a great collaboration.”

Swati Natekar

Swati Natekar

“We just had the most wonderful gig, it was a great opportunity for us to perform together. We don’t get to perform together that often – and the audience seemed to really enjoy it! I think Indika Festival offers such great opportunities to see different groups, different genres of music; there’s always an Indian theme – but there’s lots of variety in the program.”

Olivia Moore, The Moore, Modarelli & Rayatt Trio


Day Nine
Thursday, 9th November

Looking back on a brilliant collaboration from SJ Downes, Vedanth Bharadwaj and Richie Vegas, for Milap X Mellowtone

“The two guitarists find lovely space between Eastern and Western influences. […] If there are nerves, then both Downes and Bharadwaj show no sign of them whatsoever. Completely lost in these new sound worlds they have created, it marks for a very nice evening indeed.”

– Simon Kirk, Review for Sun13

SJ Downes and Vedanth Bharadwaj

Day Ten
Friday, 10th November

Looking back at a mesmerising journey of dance and performance, The Forest Dream by Payal Ramchandani & ensemble…

“It was out of this world! We really enjoyed the performance tonight… so beautiful, and so touching.”

Audience member

The Forest Dream

The Forest Dream

On Day 10 of the Indika Festival, attendees were treated to a beautiful and meaningful production titled ‘The Forest Dream’ by Payal Ramchandani. This enchanting performance featured six incredible dancers from across the UK, who came together to tell the important story of environmental conservation.

Inspired by the remarkable journey of ‘The Forest Man of India’, the production revolved around his relationship with the mystical ‘Aranyani’, the Goddess of forests. Through mesmerizing choreography and storytelling, ‘Forest Dream’ aimed to shed light on the urgent need to protect our environment in the face of climatic trauma caused by deforestation and rampant industrialization.

As audience members were transported into the heart of this wondrous tale, they were reminded of the profound connection between humanity and nature, and the responsibility we all share in preserving the beauty and vitality of our planet. ‘Forest Dream’ served as a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship, leaving a lasting impact on all who experienced its magic. A message beautifully told through three classical dance styles of India.


Day Eleven
Saturday, 11th November

Looking back at The Indika Collective, a fantastic group of musicians brought together especially for Indika Festival 2023…

“Such a beautiful evening of music poetry and music traversing time regions and philosophies. Thank you Milap, and Bindhumalini and team. You were all fantastic.”

Audience member  

The Indika Collective


Day Twelve
Sunday, 12th November

The final day of Indika Festival 2023 concluded with a magnificent Milap X Bundobust Diwali Brunch!

Diwali Celebration at Bundobust

Diwali at Bundobust

“This was magnificent!”

– Audience member

“…a splendid 12-day extravaganza celebrating the diverse facets of Indian music, dance, arts, and culture”

World Music Central


Indika Playlists

SwayOfTheVerses and Richie Vegas both DJed at the festival and provided playlists to soundtracks for you!

Sway Of The Verses

Riche Vegas

92 Degrees Mix

We also have the 3 hour live set Sway of the Verses did at 92 Degrees, Jamaica Street; for you to listen to.


Past INDIKA events

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