Following the triumphant return of their much-loved Indika Festival, Milap are set to bring some of the most exciting names in contemporary Indian music and performance to the North West this spring.
Partnering with Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026, Milap’s Spring programme shines a spotlight on the UK’s leading Indo-Jazz innovators, alongside captivating classical and dance performances across Liverpool, Wirral and beyond.
Indo-Jazz Pioneers at Liverpool International Jazz Festival
The season opens with Milap’s annual return to the festival on Saturday 28 February, welcoming multi-award-winning musicians Zoe Rahman and Arun Ghosh.
An internationally celebrated pianist and composer, Rahman is renowned for her vibrant, distinctive sound, rooted in jazz while shaped by a classical background. Her career includes collaborations with the likes of Courtney Pine and George Mraz, alongside major accolades such as the Ivor Novello Impact Award.
Joining her is Arun Ghosh, one of the UK jazz scene’s most innovative voices. A twice-winner of Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Ghosh’s open-eared, genre-blurring approach fuses jazz with a wide range of global influences.
Together, the duo will explore their shared British-Bengali heritage in a rich musical conversation, blending South Asian traditions with contemporary jazz.
Sarathy Korwar Live at Future Yard
Rescheduled to align with his highly anticipated UK tour for fourth studio album There Is Beauty, There Already, Sarathy Korwar performs at Future Yard, Birkenhead, on Saturday 28 March, promoted in partnership with Milap.
A standout figure on the global jazz circuit, Korwar has received widespread acclaim from The Guardian, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Songlines and Jazz FM. His accolades include MOJO’s Jazz Album of the Year (2019), a #2 spot in The Guardian’s Best Global Albums (2022), and Songlines’ Best Album of the Year (2023).
Audiences can expect a powerful, percussion-led exploration of rhythm, voice and electronics, combining South Asian temple procession rhythms with contemporary minimalism – futuristic Indo-Jazz at its finest.
Lunchtime Classical at The Tung Auditorium
On Wednesday 18 February, acclaimed Sarangi player Satwinder Pal Singh joins Milap’s Artist in Residence Kousic Sen for a special lunchtime concert at The Tung Auditorium.
Drawing on a rich musical heritage shaped by his upbringing in Punjab, Pal Singh offers a masterful performance showcasing not only the Sarangi but also other bowed instruments from Northern India, including the Dilruba, Israj and Taus – the perfect midday musical escape.
South Asian Dance Returns to The Lowry
Following an exciting return to Manchester for Indika Festival 2025, Milap bring South Asian dance and performance back to The Lowry with Just Enough Madness & Caught In The Net of Rebirth on Tuesday 31 March.
Created by award-winning UK-based Kuchipudi dancer Payal Ramchandani and Dutch choreographer Chandenie Gobardhan, the piece explores Trimurti – the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation and destruction of the self.
Blending poetic text, ritual and a striking live musical score, the performance weaves together themes of motherhood, miscarriage and post-partum experiences. Drawing inspiration from Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, street dance and contemporary styles, this bold new dance-theatre work showcases two powerful, next-generation South Asian female voices.
From boundary-pushing Indo-Jazz to moving classical and dance performances, Milap’s Spring 2026 programme promises a vibrant celebration of South Asian creativity across the North West.
You can get more information and tickets on Milap’s website.
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