With just weeks to go until one of the country’s biggest festivals of Indian arts and culture takes over Liverpool, Milap have revealed the full line-up of family-friendly events taking place, with performances and activities suitable for the entire family to enjoy!
From 1 – 12 November, Indika 2023 will take over Liverpool in a celebration of Indian music, dance, arts, discussion and culture. With something suitable for all ages to enjoy, events aimed specifically at younger audiences and families are included in this year’s line-up. From theatrical dance-productions to Diwali-inspired food and drink from Bundobust, Indika has something for everyone!
The festival offers an invaluable opportunity for children and families to discover new cultures and traditions, to be immersed in unique experiences, and to learn more about the festival of Diwali. The festival is open and accessible to all, and provides a glimmering, colourful insight into Indian arts and culture; an opportunity not to be missed!
Archana Shastri, Milap’s Director of Marketing & Communications said:
“For the return of Indika Festival, we’re so excited to have lots of different ways for families and children to explore and enjoy the world of Indian arts, culture and food! With an enchanting dance-theatre production filled with dancing animals during half-term, to a Diwali Brunch celebration with Bundobust, with art exhibits and music throughout, there really is something special for all ages to enjoy, and to make new memories. Indika offers a wonderful, fun-filled way of families to discover and experience something new together.”
In collaboration with the Apsaras Arts Dance Company (Singapore), Indika will feature a captivating dance-theatre production, Sita’s Magical Forest, with two performances during half-term at The Unity Theatre, on Thursday 2nd November.
Inspired by the celebrated Indian mythological epic, the Ramayana, Sita shares tales of bravery, friendship, loyalty and devotion, accompanied by the friends she meets on her journey through the forest in search of Rama; amongst them, a golden deer, a magical bird and a band of monkeys led by Hanuman!
Just over a week later, on Friday, 10th November, The Forest Dream will come to The Capstone Theatre. Audiences will embark on a captivating journey of dance in a groundbreaking exploration of the planet’s climatic crisis. Shedding light on the urgent issues plaguing our world – such as deforestation and industrialisation – the production is performed through the enchanting lens of three Indian classical dance styles.
Amidst the backdrop of the magnificent Calderstones Park, Diwali at The Storybarn will offer children a literary insight into the festival of Diwali on Saturday, 11th November. Story Hunters from The Reader will host a Diwali story time session, with time for children to explore The Storybarn, take part in some festival-inspired storytelling, and create their own magical tale and craft.
Closing out festival proceedings will be a day of magic, joy and fun, in a celebration perfect for all ages to enjoy as Milap & Bundobust join forces on Sunday, 12th November! At Bundobust on Bold Street, families can enjoy a diverse showcase of Indian artistry, featuring live music, DJ sets, arts and crafts, storytelling, dance performances, and a special Diwali snack plate designed especially for the occasion.
Providing the ideal rest stop for the whole family to be able to enjoy coffee and cake trips in-between festival performances, Milap will also partner with coffee shop and roastery experts 92 Degrees – bringing incredible photography and design exhibitions to two of their city centre locations.
92 Degrees on Jamaica Street will unveil “The Other ‘Art-iste'”, with photography by Inni Singh & The Sarvam Foundation (Delhi, India). From grassroots work in rural India to working with legendary artists on the mainstage, the life-changing work of The Sarvam Foundation is showcased with stunning photographers featuring some of India’s most prominent artists.
Inni Singh has established himself as one of India’s leading art photographers, capturing the moods and movements of Indian classical artists in a way never seen before, making that which is often hidden appear at the forefront of his work.
92 Degrees on Hardman Street will host ‘Lines #1’ by DJ and artist Pritpal Ajimal. Ajimal’s designs visually depict the repetition, timing and rhythm demonstrated in the musical rendition of a composition. The basic exercise of Raga Music is to take something simple, and to elaborate and embellish the phrase with rhythmic variations. To tweak this rhythm and beat is to create drama.
Ajimal takes the skills, concepts and procedures of musical practice and visually spins them on their head. Using repeated geometric lines to map the process of going from simple to complex, and building on each attempt, Ajimal layers colour on the lines themselves and within the background to inform the drama of a particular piece.
INDIKA Festival 2023 takes place from 1st November – 12th November at various venues in Liverpool. Buy your tickets here.
