“Milap has never simply been a promoter of concerts. It’s a movement — a celebration of Indian heritage, artistry, and its place in the UK’s evolving cultural identity.”
Liverpool Music City
Whether you’re an Indian Arts aficionado or you’re discovering them for the very first time, INDIKA is a multi-sensory festival that offers something for everyone. Over the last 4 decades, Milap has continuously strived to make Indian Arts accessible to all – with the biennial INDIKA Festival playing a pivotal role in breaking down barriers and encouraging people to explore new Indian artforms.
This year’s programme in particular spotlighted a number of cross-cultural music collaborations – with many shows blending Indian traditions with Western-jazz, futuristic folk, groovy funk and experimental sounds – from the UK Jazz scene’s standout voice Sarathy Korwar, hypnotic ensemble The Tapi Project and the dynamic fusion group, Rohan Roy Collective.
INDIKA 2025 – PROGRAMME
Milap + Future Yard present
Sarathy Korwar
Wednesday 29th October 2025, 7.30pm
Future Yard, 75 Argyle St, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6AB
TICKETS
Experience a bold new soundworld with Indian percussionist, composer and producer Sarathy Korwar. In this live performance, Sarathy presents music from his upcoming album «There Is Beauty, There Already»— a striking, percussion-led exploration of rhythm, voice and electronics.
Blending hypnotic, trance-like drum patterns with South Asian temple procession rituals, jazz percussion, and contemporary minimalism, this is futuristic folk at its most immersive.
A standout voice in the UK jazz scene, Korwar is known for fusing jazz, electronics, and Indian influences with themes of decoloniality, community and transcendence.
His music has earned critical acclaim worldwide, with collaborations ranging from Anoushka Shankar to Shabaka Hutchings and praise from The Guardian, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone.
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Milap + Liverpool Philharmonic Hall present
A Carnatic Quartet – A Concert for Children and Families
Wednesday 29th October 2025, 2pm
The Music Room, Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BP
TICKETS
An exciting introduction to the magic of South Indian classical music. Join us for a special concert designed just for children and families, featuring the dynamic Carnatic Quartet – Shreya Devnath (Violin), Mylai M Karthikeyan (Nadhaswaram), Praveen Sparsh (Mridangam), and Adyar G Silambarasan(Thavil).
This interactive performance is a joyful, high-energy introduction to the fascinating world of Carnatic music. Expect stunning sounds, fun rhythm games, and plenty of chances to get involved – whether it’s clapping along to the beat or discovering how these powerful instruments work together.
Perfect for curious young minds, budding musicians, and anyone ready to be amazed, this is a rare chance to see four incredible artists bring music to life – up close and unplugged. Let the rhythms spark imagination and the melodies open up a world of wonder.
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Milap + Liverpool Philharmonic Hall present
‘Together’ by A Carnatic Quartet
Wednesday 29th October 2025, 7.30pm
The Music Room, Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BP
TICKETS
Experience Carnatic (South Indian Classical) music like never before.
A Carnatic Quartet brings together four trailblazing artists – Shreya Devnath (Violin), Mylai M Karthikeyan(Nadhaswaram), Praveen Sparsh (Mridangam), and Adyar G Silambarasan (Thavil) – in a powerful exploration of sound, tradition, and collaboration.
Curated by violinist Shreya Devnath, Together is a bold musical conversation between four instruments that rarely share the stage. The melodic grace of the violin meets the raw, majestic voice of the nadhaswaram; the intricate rhythms of the mridangam blend with the explosive energy of the thavil.
Each instrument brings with it its own world – distinct histories, styles, and cultural roots – yet in this quartet, they unite to create something wholly unique. This isn’t just a concert. It’s a celebration of the Carnatic tradition – unfiltered, unbound, and alive with possibility.
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Milap + The Tung Auditorium present
Resonance – Strings Across Borders
Friday 31st October 2025, 7.30pm
The Tung Auditorium, Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford St, Liverpool, L7 3NY
TICKETS
Experience an extraordinary fusion of musical traditions in this captivating concert, where Indian music meets contemporary guitar.
In the first half, acclaimed sarod maestro Dr Pandit Ranajit Sengupta, celebrated for his deep, introspective performances, joins forces with distinguished sitarist Ashim Chowdhury, a torchbearer of the Imdad Khani Gharana. Together, they present a dynamic jugalbandi (duet), showcasing the intricate interplay and profound depth of Indian classical strings.
The second half welcomes the versatile and virtuosic German guitarist André Krengel, known for his unique style that transcends genres. Krengel’s contemporary guitar artistry converses with Sengupta’s sarod, creating a cross-cultural dialogue that bridges Eastern and Western musical landscapes.
Accompanying them on tabla is the esteemed Kousic Sen, whose rhythmic mastery provides a solid foundation, enhancing the synergy between the string instruments. Join us for an evening where tradition meets innovation, and diverse musical worlds resonate in harmony.
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, Talvin Singh OBE, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Priyadarsini Govind, Shashank, Rama Vaidyanathan, The Singh Twins, Mythili Prakash and Patri Satish Kumar!
Ahead of the festival launch, Artistic Director, Alok Nayak said: “As Milap turns 40, this year’s INDIKA feels especially meaningful, as a celebration of how far we’ve come and a statement of where we’re headed; it’s a reflection of everything we believe Indian arts can be. It is a space for everyone – whether you’ve grown up with these traditions or you’re discovering them for the first time – to feel inspired, moved, and connected.“
“ I’m excited that we’re welcoming back some incredible artists loved by audiences over the years, who’ve shaped our story, while also showcasing bold, boundary-pushing work that’s shaping the future of Indian music and dance. For me, INDIKA is where tradition meets imagination – and every performance is designed to leave a lasting impression on you. I hope you’ll join us this October for a festival of experiences that are rich in spirit, depth and meaning!”
