The INDIKA Festival is once again returning for its annual festival this year, 2023, happening this Autumn for a near fortnight duration, from 1st – 12th November, featuring a 12-day celebration of Indian music, dance, arts and culture!

Here’s further details of the event itself as well as the line-up;

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.

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The city of Liverpool and its 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.

A person playing a sitar

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Shakir Khan

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.

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Sita’s Magical Forest

Whilst the music and dance of India will take center-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 its 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.

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PARAMA PADAM

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Indika showcases the best of contemporary Indian arts and culture, boasting an electrifying programme that celebrates the subcontinent’s rich heritage. 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 captivated.

INDIKA Festival is open to all; whether you’re an Indian music and dance aficionado, or eager to experience new art forms, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

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“We’re delighted to support Indika which is a fantastic, family-friendly celebration of the rich cultural heritage of India. It’s a vital part of Liverpool’s cultural offer, spotlighting contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, film and poetry and in doing so, encouraging people of all backgrounds to get involved and have a greater understanding and appreciation of our vibrant Indian community.”

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle

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Olivia Moore

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ANNOUNCED SO FAR…

Shakir Khan & Shahbaz Hussain

1st November, 7pm

The Music Room

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street, L1 9BP

BUY TICKETS – £15/12

 Shakir Khan and Shahbaz Hussain will be kicking off the festival proceedings with a mesmerizing performance featuring two staples of Indian classical music; the Sitar and the Tabla. Khan’s exquisite sense of melody and rhythm, coupled with his alluring stage presence, will leave audiences captivated, whilst Shahbaz is widely regarded as one of the finest Tabla artists in the country with a reputation for exceptional skill and artistry.

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Sarod Sisters & Kousic Sen

2nd November, 7pm

The Music Room

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street, L1 9BP

 BUY TICKETS – £15/12

On November 2nd, audiences will experience an enchanting world of music with the Sarod Sisters, Dr Troilee Dutta and Moisilee Dutta! The rising stars will make their UK debut, enthralling audiences with their exceptional talent and artistry. The sarod, with its unique sound and intricate design, has inspired countless musicians and music-lovers alike.

Joining the sisters on stage will be renowned Tabla maestro – and Milap artist-in-residence – Kousic Sen.

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Sita’s Magical Forest 

2nd November, 11am and 2pm 

Unity Theatre

1 Hope Place, L1 9BG

TICKETS TBC – £5

The Ramayana, an epic celebrated across Asia, tells the trials and triumphs of Rama and Sita. In the story, the couple are exiled into the woods, encountering enchanted creatures along the way. In this children’s production by Apsaras Arts, Sita recounts her adventures with the animals of the magical forest through storytelling and dance. A perfect half-term outing! 

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PARAMA PADAM by Mohanapriyan Thavarajah

2nd November, 7:30pm 

Unity Theatre

1 Hope Place, L1 9BG

BUY TICKETS – £8

Parama Padam was created by the followers of the Vaishnavite faith, with the dual-purpose of entertainment and teaching the moral values of human life. The production takes the form of a game board, with squares represented by Snakes and Ladders. The ladders in the game represent good virtues, while the snakes bring you down to a cycle of re-births. The game – which originated in India during the 10th century, was later popularised by the British as “Snakes and Ladders”.

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VARADARĀJAM UPĀSMAHĒ by Harinie Jeevitha

3rd November, 7pm

Unity Theatre

1 Hope Place, L1 9BG

BUY TICKETS – £8

‘VARADARĀJAM UPĀSMAHĒ’ is a solo thematic presentation based on the ‘Brahmotsavam’ (the grand, ten-day annual temple festival) of Varadaraja Swamy temple situated in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

This production – by Harinie Jeevitha – has been woven in the solo format from the perspective of a devotee who has immense devotion and love for the Lord—the giver of infinite boons. Stringing together works of stalwart Indian poets and musical compositions of saint-poets in Sanskrit, Tamil & Telugu, ‘Varadarājam Upāsmahē’ is an attempt to encapsulate the different festivities of the auspicious Brahmotsavam temple celebration.

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Talvin Singh

5th November, 7:30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford Street, L7 3NY

JUST ANNOUNCED – TICKETS COMING SOON

Percussionist, producer and composer, Talvin Singh, is renowned for establishing the bridge between Indian and electronic music. Drawing inspiration from the classical Indian arts, he has managed to sculpt a unique sonic landscape.

He has taken the Tabla to the cutting edge, with the most unimaginable sonic creations, which has ultimately helped him to demystify Indian classical music, and therefore inspire a whole new generation of musicians and producers of contemporary music in India and the South Asian diaspora worldwide. Singh’s influence has also spanned the visual arts, dance and film.

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Swati Natekar

8th November, 7pm

The Music Room

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street, L1 9BP

 BUY TICKETS – £15/12

In her performance of Raag Rang, Swati Natekar will present an unforgettable evening of Bollywood classics, Indian Ragas, Ghazals and Contemproary Music. An illustrious and highly accomplished singer and composer, Swati will return to Liverpool after 15 years joined by a collective of the UK’s most talented musicians.

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The Moore, Modarelli & Rayatt Trio

8th November, 1pm

The Tung Auditorium

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford Street, L7 3NY

BUY TICKETS – FREE

Featuring Olivia Moore on violin, Giuliano Modarelli on guitar, and Gurdain Rayatt on Tabla, The Moore, Modarelli and Rayatt trio have crafted a breathtaking sound that flawlessly blends Jazz with the rich and vibrant tones of Indian music. The trio – born out of the Covid lockdown – have a repertoire that consists primarily of original compositions, that fuse together the soulful rhythms of Indian music with the improvisational spirit of Jazz; infusing hints of other World Music to create a sound that is entirely their own.

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Milap X Mellowtone – Vedanth Bharadwaj, SJ Downes & Richie Vegas

9th November, 7:30pm

Downstairs at the Everyman

5 – 11 Hope Street, L1 9BH

BUY TICKETS – £11

This unique collaboration between Vedanth Bharadwaj (India) and SJ Downes (UK) will explore Eastern and Western musical styles, in a cross-cultural interplay that draws from diverse musical heritages, and transcends borders to offer an enchanting listening experience. 

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The Forest Dream / Payal Ramchandani and ensemble

10th November, 7pm

The Capstone Theatre

Liverpool Hope University, 17 Shaw Street, L6 1HP

BUY TICKETS – £10/8

Audiences will embark on a mesmerising journey through ‘The Forest Dream’, a breathtaking fusion of dance styles in an immersive, powerful exploration of our planet’s climatic crisis. This intergenerational masterpiece speaks volumes, via a harmonious fusion of Carnatic music, Western soundscapes, and the seamless integration of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and contemporary dance forms.

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Indika Collective 

11th November, 7pm

The Tung Auditorium

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford Street, L7 3NY

BUY TICKETS – £10/8

Created especially for Indika 2023, this festival band is a brilliant new collaboration between a group of diverse artists across a range of instruments. The performance features new arrangements of folk and traditional repertoire, telling stories of love and loss with songs that speak directly to the heart and soul of India’s diverse cultural heritage and its people. 

The collective will feature Vedanth Bharadwaj on guitar and vocals, Bindumalini and Muthusirpi Narathar on vocals, Sayee Rakshith on violin, Kousic Sen on Tabla and Janarthan Sivarupan on percussion.

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Please note this line-up is correct as of 4th September. More announcements will be made in the following weeks.

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The Forest Dream