This November, Indika will feature an expanded and eclectic programme of events, featuring contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, film, poetry, talks and participatory activities, across iconic venues such as St George’s Hall, the Music Room at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Tung Auditorium and many more to be announced soon.
Indika showcases the best of contemporary Indian arts and culture, boasting an electrifying programme that celebrates the subcontinent’s rich heritage. You won’t just watch performances – you’ll feel them.
Headlining the festival will be none other than legendary percussionist, producer and composer Talvin Singh OBE. A giant and pioneer of British-Asian music, Singh’s multi-decade spanning career has seen him collaborate with and write for the likes of Sun Ra, the late Ustad Sultan Khan, Madonna, Yoko Ono and more.
Having worked as Björk’s percussionist and artistic director in 1993, Singh garnered critical acclaim for himself in 1999, winning the Mercury Music Prize for his debut album OK. Singh’s unique synthesis of electronic music and Eastern aesthetic is often referred to as Asian Underground.
Talvin will be joined by an incredible ensemble of musicians, as he exclusively shares material from his highly anticipated and long-awaited new album at The Tung Auditorium on 5th November.
The city of Liverpool and it’s multitude of iconic venues will play host to the festival, with an expanded and eclectic programme of events, featuring contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, films, poetry, talks and participatory activities taking place across the city.
From seasoned professionals, to brand new collaborations formed especially for INDIKA 2023, the first wave of artists announced to perform at the festival in November include maestros of the Sitar and the Tabla, Shakir Khan & Shahbaz Hussain. Plus, making their UK debut, will be rising stars The Sarod Sisters, set to perform alongside Milap artist-in-residence Kousic Sen.
Returning to Liverpool after 15 years will be the illustrious vocalist and composer Swati Natekar in her performance of Raag Rang. Also on the lineup will be The MMR Trio – featuring Olivia Moore on violin, Giuliano Modarelli on guitar, and Gurdain Rayatt on Tabla. Created especially for Indika 2023, a performance from the Indika Collective will feature a brand new collaboration between an incredibly talented group of diverse Indian folk and classical artists.
For fans of Indian dance, world renowned artist Harinie Jeevitha will perform ‘VARADARĀJAM UPĀSMAHĒ’ at the Unity Theatre. A week later, Payal Ramchandani and an ensemble of artists will take to the stage of The Capstone Theatre for a mystical performance of ‘The Forest Dream’. Suitable for all the family, and just in time for half-term, there’ll also be a double billing of theatrical dance production Sita’s Magical Forest.
Whilst the music and dance of India will take centre-stage throughout the festival, The Reader at Calderstones Park will play host to a variety of literary and mindfulness events, with dedicated family-friendly activities suitable for all ages to enjoy. Throughout the festival, there’ll be ‘Shared Reading’ sessions, where participants are invited to discover and discuss Indian literature in group sittings.
There’ll also be an early-morning yoga session, with live Indian music followed by chai, in the beautiful surroundings of The Reader’s Mansion House, amidst the backdrop of the magnificent Calderstones Park. For younger audiences, ‘The Diwali Story’ will take place at The Storybarn on 11th November.
Providing festival-goers with a treat for the senses, Indian Street Food geniuses Bundobust will join as one of the official food and drink partners for Indika 2023. They’ll co-host two exclusive events; an extra-special Indian DJ night on 4th November, and a Diwali Celebration for all to enjoy on 12th November.
And, for the first time ever, the festival will extend it’s reach beyond the City Centre and expand into the wider City Region, giving an even bigger audience the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by Indian arts and culture. There’s plenty more artists yet to be revealed, with more exciting announcements being made over the coming weeks.
From the alluring rhythms, colours and stories of India, to the delicious flavours of its cuisine, the festival offers an immersive, holistic experience that will leave audiences spellbound. Indika invites you to explore the stunning diversity and unbridled creativity of India, showcasing its enduring influence on the world stage, right here in Merseyside.
Milap launched Indika in 2012, and the festival has continued to grow ever since, with performances from artists such as Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rakesh Chaurasia, Aditi Mangaldas, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Priyadarsini Govind, Shashank, Rama Vaidyanathan, Mythili Prakash and Patri Satish Kumar to name just a few!